Asustek Computer Inc (華碩電腦) aims to sell 80 percent more of its low-cost Eee PC series this quarter on robust demand, mostly in Europe, and sales of enhanced models, putting it well on track to hit the target of selling 5 million units this year, a company executive said yesterday.
To fend off growing competition in the new PC battle ground, Asustek plans to unveil a new Eee PC family in June — one model equipped with Intel Corp’s new Atom chip and another with a 10-inch screen catering to demand for better mobility or a bigger screen, Asustek chief executive Jerry Shen (沈振來) said.
Shen made the remarks on the sidelines of a press briefing unveiling the enhanced Eee PC model. The US$500 Eee PC 900 has a 8.9-inch screen, bigger hardware, 12G or 20G, and runs either Microsoft Corp’s Windows system or open Linux system.
“Our supply now still lags behind demand because of battery shortage and strong demand largely from Europe,” Shen said.
Europe makes up the biggest portion, or 40 percent, of Asustek’s Eee PC shipments, he said.
Notebook sales in Europe were stable last month, while motherboard sales weakened under the shadow of a weakening macro economy, Shen said.
Battery shortage worsened after a fire at an LG Chem plant last month, but the problem will abate by June as other battery makers are sourced, Shen said.
Despite insufficient battery supply, Asustek still hit its first-quarter target of selling 700,000 low-cost Eee PCs, which brought the total sales to a million after its release in October, Shen said.
He expected unit sales to expand 80 percent in the current quarter to 1.3 million units from last quarter.
“The launch of the enhanced Eee PC series strengthens my confidence of reaching the goal of selling five million units this year,” Shen said.
If not affected by battery problems, the company would have a higher sales figure, he said.
Commenting on growing competition from bigger rivals including Hewlett Packard Co, Dell and Acer, Shen said Asustek aims to keep its leading position in the market.
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