Softex Taipei: Asustek to push new Calpella notebooks

Asustek Computer will push its latest Calpella-based notebooks at Softex Taipei (April 8-12) including the USB 3.0-featuring 15.6-inch N61J and 14-inch N82J. The company's Calpella-based notebooks will have prices ranging from NT$33,000-53,000 (US$1,045-1,679), according to company vice president Kevin Lin.

Lin also pointed out that Calpella-based models will account for about 20% of Asustek's total notebook shipments in the second quarter and the company's notebook sales at Softex Taipei 2010 are expected to grow 20% compared to those from Softex Taipei 2009.

In addition to notebooks, Asustek will also push a six-core processor-based desktop, three Garmin-Asustek handsets including the M10, seashell-series Eee PCs, and the 20-inch Eee Top 2010 PNT with a price of NT$27,000 at the show.

Asustek is mainly focusing its Eee Top at educational and procurement markets and is targeting to ship 500,000 Eee Top all-in-one PCs in 2010.

As for component shortages, Asustek noted that AMD-based graphics cards and 14-inch and larger panels are suffering the most from tight supply and is considering increasing the adoption of Nvidia graphics cards to solve the issue.

With Asustek turning to push Calpella-based models, the company's entry-level K-series notebooks, which are manufactured by Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), will see their share of the company's total notebook shipments drop gradually from 40% to 30%, helping the company maintain profits, sources from notebook players noted.

Source: Digitimes