Saturday, September 06, 2008 Intel expects 100M buyers of PCs worldwide by 2011
AS IT introduces to the Philippines its smallest processor, Intel expects the market for netbooks and nettops—simple and affordable devices that allows the user to connect to the Internet—to grow to 100 million units by 2011 worldwide.
Intel Philippines country manager Ricky Banaag said there is “significant opportunity” for netbooks and nettops, especially in emerging markets like the Philippines.
“The take-up (for nettops and netbooks) in the Philippines is very encouraging. We are very optimistic,” he said in an interview following the formal launch of the Intel Atom in Manila last Thursday.
Intel Atom, Intel’s smallest microprocessor, is designed for nettops and netbooks (like Asus Eeepc, HP’s Mininote and other similar devices by Lenovo, MSI, Gigabyte and Neo).
In his presentation during the launch, Banaag said the 100 million-unit growth will come from first-time buyers and primary device users in emerging markets, as well as those who already own one or several computers in mature markets.
Aside from the Philippines, emerging markets in Asia include India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand and Malaysia.
Fair share
Banaag said there were only 4.9 million Filipinos who used the Internet in 2007 in the Philippines while there were about one million broadband subscribers reported in the same period. In 2006, broadband household penetration was reported to be only four percent of the population in the country.
Navin Shenoy, Intel Asia Pacific vice president and general manager, said the company wants to get a “fair share” of the projected growth.
“We are always looking for an opportunity to expand the market,” he said during a press conference following the Intel Atom launch.
The demand for Internet continues to grow, said Banaag, adding that affordability is a key factor but not the sole consideration of Filipinos who want to own computers.
He said that aside from low cost, many who want to buy computers look for types that consume less power, are simple and easy to use, and provide access to the Internet.
This is why demand for netbooks and nettops has been “quite phenomenal,” he added.
“The response of the Philippine market is very, very strong,” Shenoy said.
He said the Intel Atom processor has the “lowest cost” and “lowest power” usage of .6 to four watts.
While prices of netbooks depend on each device’s configuration, Shenoy said, the price averages at P20,000, “with some going a bit higher or lower.”
He said future advancements in technology will further drive down prices of computers, particularly netbooks and nettops.
With this trend, he said, both high-end and low-end market segments will continue to grow. (LAP)
