Notebook PC shipments in China grew by almost a quarter in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2006, market research indicates.

However, prices fell significantly during the year, reported Beijing based-research firm Analysys International.

More than 1.2 million laptops were shipped during the first quarter, approximately 70 per cent aimed at business users and the remainder going to the home and personal markets.

The 22 per cent increase in shipments reflects China's rapidly growing economy. The value of notebooks shipped rose 17.6 per cent to almost $1.2bn.

Lenovo remains China's largest notebook PC maker by a substantial margin. The company held 34.1 per cent of the market by shipment volume, according to data for the first quarter. 

Almost all other major players in China's laptop market are foreign firms, although several local start-ups are increasing their sales.

HP pushed its share slightly to 12.1 per cent of the market, followed by Dell at 9.1 per cent. Asus and Acer both hold approximately eight per cent. 

Among local firms, Founder holds 5.1 per cent and notebook market newcomer Haier has 3.3 per cent. 

Haier, China's largest consumer goods manufacturer, is a relatively recent entry into the country's laptop PC market. The company's products are aimed mainly at the home market.

"Haier showed excellent performance in the laptop home market, with market position climbing to ninth," Analysys' researchers commented.