Taipei, Aug. 1, 2008 (CENS)--The Taiwan-based Asustek Computer Inc., a world-caliber supplier of Asus-branded notebook PCs, optimistically expects its shipment of notebook PCs, excluding its hottest low-price laptop Eee PC, to surge 50% in the third quarter of this year from a quarter earlier, according to Jerry Shen, CEO of the firm.

Although world`s major contract suppliers of notebook PCs, like Compal Electronics Inc. and Quanta Computer Inc., are cautious toward the market prospect in the second half of the year, Shen, however, remains confident of his firm`s annual shipment to hit 11.6 million units, including 6.6 million notebook PCs and 5 million Eee PCs, with 60% to be sold in the span.

Since debuting its budget-price laptop Eee PC at the end of last year, Asustek has recently launched Eee BOX to tap the market for desktop PCs, which sells for NT$7,988 (about US$257.8 at US$1: NT$31) per unit. The firm projects sales of the new laptops to reach between 100,000 and 200,000 units this year and jump to 1 million units next year.

Shen said that with notebook PCs gradually replacing desktop PCs in recent years, Asustek hopes to use its high-profile Eee family to tap the market. Eee BOX weighs 1kg, is 1.6cm thick, adopts Intel`s Atom series processor and Microsoft`s Window XP operating system, has a built-in 80GB hard drive and 802.11n wireless networking and Express Gate functions.

Shen added that Eee BOX is not only an alternative to desktop PCs, but also a DMA (digital media adaptor), which can be used as a TV game console with removable joysticks, as well as can directly link via a wireless network access with computer monitors and digital TVs at home.
(by Steve Chuang)