Chinese demand for ultra-slim notebook computers to grow: IDC
Research firm IDC expects low-priced models with long-lasting batteries to drive sales
Demand for ultraslim note- books on the mainland may rise this year as low-priced models with longer battery life become available in the world's largest personal computer market, analysts say.
Technology research firm IDC expects computer giants Dell and Lenovo to remain the mainland's top two brands for ultraslim notebooks this year, followed by Asus, Samsung Electronics and Hewlett-Packard.
Apple is the mainland's sixth-leading supplier of ultraslim notebooks. Its MacBook Air computer is the worldwide bestseller in the category.
IDC describes an ultraslim notebook as a laptop computer that is no more than 21 millimetres thick, with a screen size of between 10 and 17 inches, measured diagonally.
Semiconductor firm Intel, however, has since 2011 promoted the "Ultrabook" branding and specification for ultraslim notebooks that run its chips and Microsoft's Windows operating system. Those compete directly against the MacBook Air, which also uses Intel chips but can operate both the Mac OS X and Windows platforms.
Bryan Ma, associate vice-president for Asia-Pacific client devices research at IDC, said Apple had taken a leap forward by being the first in the industry to release ultraslim notebooks with Intel's new Core i5 and Core i7 processors. Apple released new MacBook Air models last month that feature up to 12 hours of battery life, made possible by Intel's more power-efficient chips.