'More hybrid devices to enter the market'

Tablets and laptops will continue to become more closely aligned as ultrabooks increase in popularity, says distributor VIP Computers.
The company's notebooks product manager Mark Lynch told PCR in an interview: "I think traditional notebooks will get slimmer and more powerful as ultrabooks become more mainstream, but there will be a merger between tablet and notebook as more hybrid devices start to enter the market.
"Windows 8 was supposed to be the springboard for these touch/hybrid technologies, but only now have most manufacturers bought into the idea."
Lynch also talked up the growth of gaming laptops and said ultrabooks are enjoying good traction.
"Products like the ASUS Zenbook and MSI Dragon gaming notebooks are a world away from where we were 18 months ago," he added.
"Gaming is a huge growth area for us and we expect to see this ‘niche’ market really take off in Q3 and Q4. We’re also finally seeing better uptake of touch notebooks."
In terms of market challenges, VIP said: "Profitability and lack thereof on traditional notebooks. As the market is showing inconsistency, there are still a lot of ongoing price wars, which are stripping out the channel margin to clear inventory."

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