It looks as though netbook computer prices could be on the way up.
A report in Digitimes.com today has said that the cost of netbook LCD panels is about to rise from their cost-level basis (meaning makers are selling the panels for the price it costs them to make them in first place). Add to that a worsening in supply of netbook screens (as makers look to build larger, more profitable panels instead) and it will likely have the effect of pushing up netbook prices as a whole.
According to the report, Korean giants Samsung and LG have both seen their 12-inch and smaller panels continue to grow in sales, despite the fact that Apple’s iPad has given netbooks a bloody nose for sales in recent times. Samsung’s panel shipment count has risen to 1.25million in August, up from 650,000 in May. However, this is mostly on the back of iPad builds.
Taiwanese panel makers not on Apple’s books aren’t having such a good time of it, with numbers dropping by 30% or more.
According to latest reports, netbooks are expected to sell around 40million units this year and next, while tablet devices (including the iPad) will grow from 15million this year to 30million next.
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