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ASUS expects decline to netbook shipments in 2011
With the growing popularity of tablet products such as the Apple iPad and Android-based ones like Samsung Galaxy Tab and Viewsonic ViewPad, one computer product manufacturer foresees a decline to netbook shipments next year.
According to Digitimes, Taiwanese computer product manufacturer ASUS expects to see a decline in netbook shipments in next year, mainly due to the availability of tablet products like the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Viewsonic ViewPad, Dell Streak, Toshiba AS100 and Creative ZiiO. It is likely there will be more such tablets that will be launched next year.
ASUS has shipped 5.8 and 6.8 million netbooks in 2008 and 2009 respectively, though the company foresees the number will fall to approximately 4 - 4.5 million units in 2011.
The tablet is slimmer, more portable and can perform just as well as the conventional netbook, except the absence of a physical keyboard. And with the number of apps on the App stores, users may choose the tablet over the netbook.
Source: Digitimes
