Sales of mini notebook computers--laptop computers with a 10-inch screen or smaller--are increasing sharply, with sales of such computers accounting for more than 17 percent of total notebook computer sales in July.
Mini notebook computers, which sell for less than standard notebook computers, are forcing prices of standard notebook computers down. The average unit price of notebook computers dropped by 10 percent in July from the previous month.
Some major electrical appliances stores have even been offering mini notebook computers for just 100 yen, provided the buyer signs a contract with a communications company for a two-year period.
And the battle for sales looks like it will heat up as sellers of mini notebook computers, other computers and cell phones fight for market share.
The boom of mini notebook computer sales began in January when Taiwan-based ASUSTek Computer Inc. released the 7-inch screen Eee PC 4G mini computer, which sells for 40,000 yen to 50,000 yen.
After ASUSTek, many companies followed suit. Companies including Taiwan-based Acer Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., based in the United States, and Kojinsha Co., based in Yokohama, have released mini notebook computers.
Hewlett-Packard's HP2133 has a 8.9-inch screen, 1 gigabyte of RAM and 120-gigabyte hard disk, and is sold at 59,850 yen. The notebook's impressive performance has attracted a lot of attention. The company began selling the HP2133 in late June, but Hewlett Packard Japan said production has not been able to match the demand.
"When we sold the HP2133 directly via our Web site in late July, our stock of several thousand sold out within a half a day," a Hewlett-Packard Japan spokesman said.
Most mini notebook computers are being purchased by people who already have a computer for general use.
They regard the mini computer as a tool for certain limited activities, such as accessing the Internet or sending e-mail when they are away from home.
According to private research firm BCN Inc., sales volume of mini notebook computer accounted for only 1 percent of total sales of notebook computers in the second half of last year. However, the number rose to 4.4 percent in January, and to 17.3 percent in July.
Mini notebook computers are generally cheaper than other notebook computers because it costs less to manufacture a device with a small screen. However, the average price of notebook computers is falling due to the increase in sales of mini notebook computers.
The average unit price of notebook computers was 103,000 yen in July, decreasing by 12,000 yen from June, or about 10 percent. It dropped by about 20 percent from the second half of last year.
The mini notebook computer has been a blind spot for the major personal computer manufacturers in Japan.
NEC Corp., Fujitsu Ltd. and Toshiba Corp. all have begun selling notebook computers with a 15.4-inch screen online from 70,000 yen to 80,000 yen.
These companies have been cautious about cutting the price of notebook computers as mini computers grow ever more popular. However, it seems they could not afford to ignore the growth in mini notebook computer sales.
Fujitsu will offer a mini notebook computers in China and Hong Kong in the near future, and is now considering selling them in Japan. Sony Corp. is planning to develop a mini computer with an elaborate design and sophisticated functions.
www.electronics-in-china.com
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