According to the latest market data findings from ABI Research, total system shipments for portable computing are predicted to reach 165 million units for full-year 2015, which is essentially flat compared to 2014 levels.
The portable Notebook PC category as measured by ABI consists of four segments: Netbooks, laptops, Chromebooks, and ultraportable PCs. “Segment growth is occurring in Chromebooks, much in part due to purchases by schools,” says Research Director Jeff Orr in a statement. “Growth for 2015 is also in ultraportable PCs where thin and light designs are looking to tackle more mobile use cases by reversing the display panel flat like a tablet or having the screen separate entirely.”
Highlights:
• Ultraportable PCs, including the so-called 2-in-1 convertible and detachable display models, experienced typical 1Q seasonality with a 24% drop in quarter-over-quarter shipments to 7.2 million units. Apple’s MacBook Air continues to lead all ultraportable PC OEMs, though Lenovo and Dell are closing the gap. ABI did not disclose their estimate of the total number of MacBook Air units in their statement. The balance of the year is expected to remain soft for segment growth.
• Chromebook shipments are expected to increase 35% annually by the end of calendar year 2015 to 7 million units. Sales led until now by North American educational buyers will yield to purchases in other geographic markets over the next 5 years, resulting in a 22% CAGR.
• Laptops, the bulk of the Notebook PC category, will experience a unit volume decline of about 7% year-over-year.
The quarterly market data release is part of ABI Research’s Media Tablets, Ultrabooks & eReaders Market Research, which includes qualitative and quantitative analysis of the ultraportable PC market.
Source: ABI Research
MacDailyNews Take: The best ultraportable continues to lead!
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