Consumers in Asia-Pacific spent more than $7bn on desktop and notebook PCs in 2006, according to a retail market report from research firm GfK Asia, an increase of 11 per cent on the previous year. 

Growth in notebook sales outpaced desktops by a significant margin, according to GfK. Desktop sales were up only three per cent year-on-year to reach 5.56 million in 2006, while notebook sales surged 33 per cent to 3.2 million.

Slightly more than half of all desktop and notebook PC sales income came from China.

"Malaysia led the region for notebook PCs with the lowest price points, while the highest average prices were found in neighbouring Singapore," said Gerard Tan, commercial director in charge of IT at GfK Asia.

"In China, the region's greatest market for volume, average prices for notebook PCs were approximately $1,000."

Increasing price competition helped Malaysian notebook sales to jump 57 per cent, after showing little growth in the previous year.

"With major brands fighting for a larger slice of the Malaysian market, the atmosphere became extremely competitive during 2006. This led to price erosion, motivating more Malaysian consumers to purchase," said Tan.

Indonesia saw a 60 per cent increase in notebook sales, accompanied by a 50 per cent rise in prices.

Consumers in developing countries are becoming more choosy, according to Tan, and are increasingly opting for higher priced brand-name products, particularly in desktop PCs and LCD monitors.