For 2011, the evolution in the tablet PC market can essentially be characterized into 4 key stages: (1) upbeat market outlook; (2) aggressive product promotions; (3) worse-than-expected sales; (4) comprehensive year-end sales review. The drastic market change took everyone by surprise.
In the second half of 2011, the tablet market business has been slightly rocky. Aside from the dismal sales reported by most brand vendors in the third quarter, even No.1 leader Apple has lowered its projected sales for the fourth quarter. In light of the weaker-than-expected market sales, touch module makers have been especially keen in controlling costs.
For 2011, it will likely be characterized as a sluggish year to global TV brand vendors, as the global economic downturn severely curbed consumer demand. Furthermore, this sluggishness is not expected to recover at least until early 2012. In response, brand vendors have been particularly keen in maintaining relatively low inventory levels.
According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, rush orders for SSD began to turn up in November as a result of the Thailand Flood, which compromised the HDD supply. However, the shipments of end-market products, including PC, smartphone and tablet PC, continued to drop.
According to the survey conducted by DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, affected by the economy downturn, the Japan Earthquake and the Thailand Flood, the notebook industry sees a mere 1% YoY growth in 2011.