Taiwanese notebook PC shipment volume topped around 37.6 million units in the fourth quarter of 2014, down 1.0% sequentially and 6% year-on-year, according to MIC (Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute), Taipei-based ICT research institute. "PC manufacturers' advanced shipments in the third quarter led to the anticipated PC shipment decline in the fourth quarter. The shipment decline in the fourth quarter was not as bad as expected though," said Jane Yeh, senior industry analyst with MIC. " This is attributed mainly to the fact that PC brands like HP and Asus had promoted their products in cooperation with channel distributors, aiming for bigger traction."

Source: MIC, April 2015

"Looking at the shipments of individual makers, despite an overall decline in notebook PC shipments, Wistron and Pegatron both witnessed shipment growth in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to the third quarter," said Yeh. "The largest number of Taiwanese notebook PCs were shipped to HP, followed by Dell and ASUS, in the fourth quarter of 2014."

Outlook for 1Q 2015

In the first quarter of 2015, the European and US markets are in the inventory clearance phase following the end of seasonal sales period. Coupled with the depreciation of Taiwanese dollars, Taiwanese PC brands tend to be more cautious about their overseas inventory management. As a result, it is predicted that the industry will see over 10% sequential decline in the first quarter of 2015.