While the main technology trend in the laptop segment is for more mobility and connectivity, desktop innovations are aiming to transform devices into entertainment centers for the entire family, according to HP Chile consumer product manager for the personal system group (PSG), Tulio Valenzuela.
Although the Chilean unit of HP (NYSE: HPQ) is focused on further promotion of laptop penetration, the reality is that desktops will continue to have a strong hold on the PC market.
In fact, statistics from IDC show that 70% of the Latin American PC market represents sales of desktops, with a total of 8.9mn units sold during the first half of 2008, a 25% increase compared to the year-ago period. The consultancy forecasts sales of 29.4mn PCs for full-year 2008, with 19.2mn desktops and 10.2mn laptops.
"Particularly, Chile has the highest penetration of laptops compared to the overall PC market with the rate surpassing 50%, and over 70% in retailers," Valenzuela said.
The executive spoke on the sidelines of the launching in Chile of HP's TouchSmart PC, a new entertainment center that offers a touch screen - similar to Apple's iPod and iPhone.
"Desktops are becoming digital entertainment centers connecting all the family's electronic devices and creating a small home network. And desktop [manufacturers] are also focusing on teenagers and children, with their first PC, for the convenience of having a more resistant unit, which is shared by the family and with parents having more control over what the kids do," he added.
HP Latin American and Caribbean president Rui da Costa previously said that sales in HP's fiscal year 2007, ending October 31, were strongly driven by the PSG unit, although he believes the strongest potential is in the services and software area.
According to Valenzuela, HP's main priorities today is to be able to deliver integrated solutions between the three units, namely PSG, image and printing solutions, and the technology systems group.
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