PC sales boosted by the mini-PC .

Keywords: netbook, Notebook, FRANCE, HEWLETT PACKARD, ACER, Toshiba.

 Global sales of laptops jumped 43.4% in the first quarter. It is the largest increase in eight years, according to research firm Gartner.

The PC makers have benefited fully from the craze for netbooks, mini-cost computers intended primarily for basic tasks and internet browsing. During the first quarter of 2010, some 49.4 million notebooks were sold, an increase of 43.4% over a year. The market recorded its strongest growth and for eight years by to research firm Gartner.
Individuals were the main driver of the increase, although the business world begins to take off before a boom due at the end of 2010 and 2011. "Mini-PCs have participated to a significant growth, with sales up 71%" in the first quarter, "said Mikako Kitagawa, an analyst quoted in the press release.
"However, in some regions, the share of mini-PC sales slows, consumers begin to understand the limitations of mini-PC, especially in a context of declining aggressive price laptops classic" he said .
The average price of laptops has dropped from 15.7% in one year, to $ 732 (597 euro).
The U.S. Hewlett-Packard retained its position as the leading global manufacturer of portable computers with 19.2% market share, followed by Taiwan's Acer, which has further reduced the gap by increasing its shipments by 48% to 18 , 5% market share.
His compatriot Asustek pioneer of netbooks with its Eee PC brand, has more than doubled its sales to 8.8% of the market and placed fifth in the world, behind Toshiba, the number four in the sector, and Dell, three.
Gartner said it expected an increase in demand from the professional market which is expected to accelerate by the end of the year in 2011 thanks to scheduled replacement of computers in business.