Sub-notebook computers developed by leading domestic PC makers such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics continue increasing presence in the home sub-notebook PC market, which had been dominated by Japanese vendors like Sony and Fujitsu.
Driven by aggressive marketing of these domestic PC manufacturers, the market is expected to grow some 50% annually through 2008. Homegrown computer makers have commanded more than 70% of the notebook and desktop PC market, but they were lagging behind multinational rivals in the sub-notebook PC segment until recently.
Samsung Electronics unveiled a 12.1-inch slim color notebook PC `Sens Q30` early this year, and has seen sales of the new model increasing from monthly 2,000 to 6,000 units sine then.
LG Electronics also has sold some 5,000 units of two 12.1-inch digital multimedia broadcast-enabled notebook PCs `LW 40` and `LW20` on a monthly base since its launch in June this year. "The new sub-notebooks now account for some 20% of total sales of notebook PCs," said Pak Si-beom, managing director at LG Electronics. "We are now optimistic about the outlook for sub-notebook PC business."
TriGem Computerunveiled 12-inch `Averatec` for around 1.5 million won, and sold some 2,000 units in last month alone. The company now expects sales to be around 3,000 units monthly by the end of this year.
Multinational vendors are also keen to defend their established positions. Toshiba Korea introduced 7.2-inch mini notebook `Libretto U100` and 12.1-inch `Potege R200`, marking the 20th anniversary of its notebook PC business. The 7.2-inch is the smallest model in the home market, and the latest upgrade of `Libretto,` a sub series the company first unveiled in 1996.
Two top vendors Fujitsu Korea and Sony Korea have also reshuffled their lineups. Fujitsu plans to put 8.9-inch `Lifebook P1510,` a hit sub notebook it unveiled in August this year, on the forefront. The company expects monthly sales of the new model to be around 1,000 units by the year-end.
Sony Korea has jumped into competition with `Midnight Blue`, an upgrade of 10.6-inch `Red Wine`, which was first introduced as limited edition of `Bio-T` series last year.
Sales of sub-notebook computers continue increasing sharply. Despite weak demand for PCs, the domestic notebook PC market grew at a 40% rate since the second quarter of 2004, with sub notebooks doubling their slice of the pie from around 10% to 20% during that time. Sub-notebooks used for terrestrial DMB and Wi-Bro are expected to propel growth, in particular.
"Notebook computers with enhanced portability and compactness are now gaining popularity," said a manager at TriGem. "The sub-notebook PC market is expected to grow some 30 to 40% this year, outpacing the entire notebook PC market."