Netbook Lounge » asustek

ASUS preparing to merge netbook and notebook departments

Stuart — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:55:59 +0000

ASUS is putting a lot of thought into merging its Eee PC netbook and notebook departments both to fight the credit crunch by decreasing management costs and also to help increase efficiency.

Market sources told the DigiTimes that Asustek has already sent out documents outlining the merger plan to key personnel in both departments and that a schedule will be worked out in the near future.

ASUS president Jerry Shen has so far refused to comment on these claims.

ASUS expects 44% growth in netbook sales in ‘09

Stuart — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:22:59 +0000

2009 is likely to be an immense year for netbooks after the massive sales growth in 2008. With Acer knocking ASUS off the throne for sales recently, the competition is likely to become more intense next year, especially with many smaller brands looking to get their slice of the cake.

Lilputing via PC Mag has word on Asustek’s plans for next year, and that is an increase in notebook sales of 10%. Netbooks would of course play a big part in this, and ASUS plans to ship 44% more Eee PC netbooks in the coming year, equating to around 7.2 million units.

ASUS’ growth has been immense in some markets, largely thanks to its netbook sales, with Western Europe for example seeing a 200% rise in the third quarter of this year, which moved the company up to fourth in the rankings.

Netbooks dominate Cyber Monday at Amazon

Stuart — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:44:48 +0000

Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping day of the year in the United States, and this year netbooks marked their arrival to the party by dominating the bestsellers list at Amazon.com. Seven of the top ten spots were taken by netbooks, with Asustek’s Eee PC 8.9-inch netbooks taking the two top spots, but only after a fierce challenge from Acer’s Aspire One 8.9-inch model.

With the economy struggling and people more conscious of spending this season, netbooks are more than ever offering a good, cheaper alternative to the pricier laptops and desktops we all know and love.

Source: PC World

Netbooks becoming a threat to Microsoft

Stuart — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:30:25 +0000

Netbooks are becoming an unexpected problem for Microsoft, according to Bloomberg. Acer Inc. and Asustek Computer, two of the big names in the netbook market, who make up 90% of said market, are using Linux on about 30% of their netbooks. Of course, Linux has always been a fairly non-threatening rival for Microsoft’s Windows series, but with the increased usage of it on netbooks, Microsoft are surely starting to get worried.

The article cites netbooks as the fastest-growing segment in the PC industry and claims that their emergence is eating into Microsoft’s profits. Windows sales fell short of forecasts in the last quarter, causing Microsoft to cut growth projections, and actually admit that netbooks are the main cause for this. Netbook manufacturers who do use Windows – still 70% of models (but significantly lower than the 90% of PCs that also use it) – tend to use old versions of the operating system.

Microsoft is taking this seriously and is already taking steps to ensure it is ready for the netbook boom. Windows 7, the scheduled successor of Windows Vista, will work much better with netbooks according to Senior Vice President Jon DeVaan. DeVaan said, “People will be pleasantly surprised and excited” by how Windows 7 runs on low-cost machines. We’ll do well on those kinds of machines.”

Despite Microsoft’s initiative to stop this growing problem, Bloomberg claims that Windows will still be a tough sell for PC makers trying to develop the cheapest machines possible. Jenny Lai, a Taipei-based analyst at CLSA Ltd., says that Linux costs just $5 to put on computers, compared to with $40 to $50 for XP and about $100 for Vista, a huge difference.

Netbook prices falling in Taiwan

Stuart — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:22:45 +0000

If you live in Taiwan, you’re in luck as netbook prices just won’t stop falling! Hewlett-Packard, and Acer have dropped their netbook costs in the country, and now its Asustek Computer’s turn, with fresh plans to lower prices on some Eee PC models to meet its annual shipment goal of five million units and also to clear out inventory of some older models.

The Eee PC 901 price is dropping from NT$16,900 to NT$12,900, which works out to be roughly US$420, a drop of around US$130. The Intel Celeron M processor-based Eee PC 900 has already been phased out of the market in Taiwan, but prices for the Celeron M-based Eee PC 1000HD (down to US$450) and both the Eee PC 904 and 1000H (price cuts of about US$30) have been lowered.

HP has dropped the price of its 2133 Mini-note unit by around US$60, while the cost of Acer’s Aspire model has been cut by about half of that. Whether these price cuts are permanent or temporary for inventory clearance isn’t clear, but now might be a good time to invest in a brand new netbook if you’re in Taiwan.

Asustek targets 30% netbook market share

Stuart — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:35:05 +0000

Taiwanese manufacturer Asustek Computer is targetting a 30% share in the netbook market according to the DigiTimes, and they have a sound plan on how to do it.

Company president Johnny Shen told the Times that “the company has adjusted its mid-range and entry-level Eee PC’s pricing and market position, and expects to launch an Eee PC priced at US$200 in 2009.” If this strategy is carried out, it would lead to shipments of 6 million to 7.5 million units.

Asustek’s major market is Europe, which contributed to around 53% of the company’s third quarter revenues, with the Asian Pacific region contributing around 36%. The Eee PC itself contributes approximately 22% of Asustek’s total revenue.