Notebooks Dominate Retail Computer Sales

NPD Group research shows retail sales are far out pacing desktop sales. For the month of March, 2007, brick and mortar retail sales of notebooks totaled $697 million. During the same period, desktop sales were only $305 million at retail.

Toshiba was the most popular brand with a 26.2% unit share. HP followed closely with 23.9% unit share, while Gateway is a distant third with 13% unit share. Apple notebooks ranked 4th with 9.9% of retail unit sales and Compaq rounded out the top-five at 8.5%.

HP holds nearly one third of retail unit sales when combined its two notebook brands’ (HP and Compaq) are combined.

Rank Brand                   Unit Share

1   Toshiba                   26.2%

2   Hewlett Packard           23.9%

3   Gateway                   13.0%

4   Apple                      9.9%

5   Compaq                     8.5%Total Dollar Volume:         $696,976,800

NPD's numbers exclude Wal-Mart and stores where memberships are required.