There might be an increase in laptop sales in Q2- The Notebook Company

The Notebook Company, one of South Africa’s leading retailers of notebooks and accessories, believes there might be an increase in the sale of laptops during the second quarter due to the fact that there will be a “full range of  laptops entering the market, running Windows 8 – which might just create a slight increase in sales”.

This is according to Christopher Riley, MD of The Notebook Company, who said his company is expecting a 20% increase in laptop sales during the second quarter.

“It’s very possible that people were holding back on purchases, not really knowing what to buy before Windows 8 had worked its way into the market – and shown what its performance rating is. Additionally, it is also branded laptop ranges that are entering the market, running Windows 8.  If people were holding onto their Windows 7 machines to see what the market was going to do– to see if Windows 8 got bad reviews or not – they might now be inclined to jump in and go for a new laptop with Windows 8 

“In Fact,” said Riley, “we were, until recently, advising clients to hold any purchases – and to stick to their Windows 7 platform – to see what would happen with Windows 8, so that they could make an informed decision.”

Demand for laptops will be muted during the first quarter of 2013

Demand for laptops will be weak  during the first quarter of the year, and this is not only because of the market share being stolen by tablets, said Christopher Riley, managing director of laptop and accessories retailer, The Notebook Company – and one of the biggest local sellers of the Apple iPad tablet range.

Riley said it is “important to remember” that laptop demand – not counting netbooks – was already moving downwards before the tablet industry caught fire.

“Apple’s iPad, the soon-to-follow Android and Windows slates and, more recently, Windows RT tablets, are simply acting to aggravate these already existing problems.”

Riley said it appears that the general consensus among market watchers is that first quarter of 2013 will not witness an upsurge in laptop demand. In fact, he said, it could be an ever less lucrative quarter for notebook markets than usual.

“Generally, the first quarter of the year is a slow season due to the fact that many people are still recovering from the spending sprees of the festive season. Adding to the challenges, this year notebook vendors will have to content with Windows 7 notebook oversupply, pressing many to offer as many price cuts as is possible. Installing Windows 8 on units will help somewhat, but it must be remembered that many owners of Windows XP/Vista and 7 systems are probably not yet ready for performance upgrades. They might even opt to buy a new phone or a tablet instead of a PC.”

But Riley said that while there will be pressures on laptop sales, the popularity of tablets will continue. “Apple iPads will continue to outsell our range of laptops during the first quarter of this year,” said Riley, “and, frankly, I see this continuing into the year.”