(Source: Jiji Press English News Service)
Tokyo, Sept. 6 (Jiji Press)--Mini notebook personal computers priced around 50,000 yen are catching on in Japan, with new models launched by foreign makers this year attracting brisk demand from customers seeking a second PC.
"Mini notebook PCs are selling unexpectedly well," said an official at a major consumer electronics retailer chain.
With domestic computer makers are now poised to follow in the footsteps of their overseas rivals, industry experts say low-end mini notebooks may develop into a solid growth segment in Japan's highly saturated PC market.
On Sept. 5, Dell Inc., the world's second largest computer maker, launched the Inspiron Mini 9, the U.S. company's first ultra small portable computer.
The Mini 9, carrying a price tag of 49,800 yen, is aimed at tapping demand for a PC model between mobile phones and portable PCs, a Dell official said.
An ultra portable mini notebook PC typically weighs about one kilogram and has a display of either 7 or 8.9 inches.
The low prices are possible because mini notebook PCs have no frills, with available functions limited to minimum necessities such as Internet access and e-mail.
Asustek Computer Inc. of Taiwan was the first to enter the segment in Japan, making its mini notebook PC a big hit since the product launch in January.
Another Taiwan maker Acer Inc., and Hewlett-Packard Co. of the Untied States followed Asustek, releasing mini notebook PCs for around 50,000 yen.
According to BCN Inc., an information technology market research firm, the unit sales share of notebook PCs priced less than 60,000 yen in the Japanese notebook market increased to 19.9 pct in August from 0.4 pct a year before.
Most customers buy such inexpensive models as their second PCs, but the mini category is increasingly attracting first-time PC buyers, a Bic Camera Inc. official said.
Meanwhile, domestic makers, previously cautious about low-priced PCs for fear of further downward price pressure on the whole PC market, are forced to change their strategy in light of their strong popularity.
"We can't just sit back," a Toshiba Corp. official said.
Fujitsu Ltd. plans to release a 500-dollar model in China and Hong Kong in October and in Japan early next year.
Toshiba and Sony Corp. are also studying possible entries into the low-end category.END
(c) 2008 Jiji Press English News Service. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
