Not everyone can afford a Macbook Air.
The NPD Group has reported that ultrabooks’ share of premium Windows notebooks (costing at least $700) has risen each month this year, going from just over six per cent in January to more than 15 per cent in May.
The Intel-endorsed thin and light notebooks are favoured by consumers who want a powerful portable machine, but are put off by the premium price of Macbooks.
NPD said ultrabook sales have “[captured] nearly 11 percent of all $700+ Windows notebooks sales at US retail through the first five months of 2012.”
While the overall Windows market for notebook PCs fell by 17 per cent, sales of ultrabooks priced over $900 increased 39 per cent against the prior year, proving that despite the tablet threat, there is life in the notebook market yet.
Stephen Baker, VP of industry analysis at the NPD Group said: “As we look toward the fourth quarter, the expected launch of Windows 8, a wide variety of Ultrabooks with touch-screens, and convertible form factors should continue to make this class of product top-of-mind with the consumer as well as provide a much needed revenue boost to the entire PC ecosystem.”
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