Apple's iPad Eating into Netbook Sales

Posted Aug 16th 2010 5:00PM by Tobias Buckell
Filed under: Apple Inc (AAPL)

Netbook sales drove the bottom line for a number of laptop manufacturers, and it was the hot new category for the previous two years. Now there are increasing signs that Apple, Inc. (AAPL)'s iPad is cannibalizing netbook sales.

According to DigiTimes, and as reported on by many sites today, Asustek, well known for its success in Netbook manufacturing, is seeing its bottom line hit hard. While the Eee PC line, which introduced the world to Netbooks, will continue, it will be with smaller numbers. Apple, on the other hand, is no doubt gearing up for a holiday rush.

Apple has released numbers showing that 3.27 million iPads were sold in the first three months it was available for sale. According to MacRumors.com, iSuppli thinks that instead of the 7 million or so iPads that analysts think will be sold in 2010 total, that the number will be more like 12 million with the holiday season rush.

Combine that with an iPhone, that despite the issues with the antenna, is still selling better than any previous iPhone, and with Apple's other core products, Apple will be on track for yet another blowout quarter.

The takeaway for investors? Hot selling inventory gets other people interested in the stock. January ends with Macworld, where Apple makes a number of big announcements. Historically, Apple stock gets active running up through holiday sales and just before Macworld, so if you're interested in the stock, sooner is better than later. You don't have to take my word for it, look at Apple's stock from January 1st through late January, when Macworld is held, from 2000-2010, and you'll see the excited build up.

Tags: apple, featured, inthenews, ipad, iphone, macworld

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-16-2010 @ 11:44PM

zzisel said...

I agree.
iPad and iPhone is sold so well.
I love my iPad. It has almost completely replaced my personal computer. For the things I do... Is is perfect! Much nicer than any CPU I have ever owned. All my other computers

would do a lot of things I would never use it for, and do it painfully in the process (slow, buggy, etc.). When you get down to what you do most on you personal computer... the

iPad does almost all of the things an average user needs, and with a much much nicer U/I. Easy of use, fast, and efficient. The other computer manufacturers could learn a thing

or two from this, but even if they do... they will probably screw-up the one they come out with by adding all the crap back in again. Ugggggg!!!!

I am sticking with my iPad. I think other will do the same once they try it and realize it is the perfect personal computer :-)
And some of my collections: http://www.ifunia.com/ipad-column/index.html
www.ipadhelpguide.net/
make the cool device more fun.