Taipei, July 2, 2008 (CENS)--A total of 558,389 personal computers (PCs), including desktop and notebook models, were shipped in Taiwan in the first quarter, down 19% from the same period last year, according to IDC, the premier global market intelligence firm.

IDC attributed the sales decline to relatively-weak government, enterprise, and consumer purchase willingness caused by political uncertainty; as well as weak consumer confidence due to highflying fuel prices and the sagging U.S. economy etc. In addition, the research firm said, workdays in the first quarter were lesser than other quarters due to the Chinese New Year holidays.

In Taiwan, the first quarter is a traditional off season for PC products.

Dickie Chang, market analyst, personal computing solution of IDC Taiwan, pointed out that with the demonstration of ultra low-cost PC by different vendors on the island, Taiwan has become the pioneer market-test lab for global notebook PC sales. He added that in Taiwan ultra low-cost PCs have gained increasing popularity from not only new-product fans but also carry-on mobile users.

As more and more international information technology (IT) vendors have jumped or are jumping onto the ultra low-cost PC bandwagon, Chang said, such as HP and Acer, consumers would have more choices and vendors would face market shares taken by newcomers. In addition, the product lifecycle of such device would shorten and profit issues in sales channels would be discussed again, the market analyst predicted. "How to attract the mainstream consumer group to buy would be a major observation point for future ultra low-cost PC market growth," Chang said.

In Taiwan, 212,287 notebook PCs were sold in the first quarter, down 17% from previous quarter but a 42% increase from the same period of last year. IDC said that the increasing number of ultra low-cost PC models avliable in the market has let consumers have more options and turn their decision from desktop model to such device.

Asus and Acer maintained top-two positions in the first quarter in terms of notebook PC shipments, while HP and Lenovo also kept third and fourth places.

A total 346,102 desktop PCs sold in the first quarter, down 20% from previous quarter. The top-four vendor positions remained unchanged: Acer, Asus, HP, and Levnovo. IDC attributed the sales decline to relatively-weak growth momentum during Chinese New Year sales peak period and the narrowing price difference between desktop and notebook PCs.

(by Quincy Liang)