Netbooks to drive 30 per cent of notebook sales

The economic downturn will spark growth in ultra-mobile PC markets, according to vendor Acer

Acer believes that netbooks could drive 30 per cent of all UK notebook shipments in 2009 as it gears up to broaden its ultra-mobile offering.

According to IDC data, the vendor topped the overall UK notebook standings in the fourth quarter with 18.8 per cent market share.

It is the first time Acer has led the way for two consecutive quarters, and Bobby Watkins, Acer UK country manager for retail, attributed this to its strength in the netbook space.

“I can see the netbook market being between 15 and 30 per cent of the total volume in 2009,” he said.

“The economic drive of many households could fuel the netbook category. In terms of how commercial enterprises are reviewing their Capex budgets, if the people they send on the road only need to communicate, netbooks are a good option.”

He promised there would be an explosion in Acer’s netbook lineup over the next two to three months, centred on six key factors on which consumers base their purchasing decisions, including screen size, specification and design.

Acer saw demand for Aspire One at the Bett show, Watkins claimed. He added that there would be “huge take-up” in the education sector.