Convertible laptop demand on fast rise in Korea

Convertible 2-in-1 laptop, which functions as both laptop and tablet PC, is revitalizing the Korean laptop market.

Samsung Electronics has sold more than 110,000 units of its Samsung Notebook 9 Pen in just one year since it released the convertible laptop in December last year, according to industry sources on Tuesday. Market experts estimate its shipments would reach 120,000 units by the end of this year. The Samsung Notebook 9 Pen has a touch screen that flips around and a stylus pen.

Local electronics makers and retailers are welcoming the growing popularity of the convertible laptop at a time when overall demand for laptop computers in the country is weakening. According to the Korean branch of International Data Corporation (IDC) market research, laptop shipments in Korea shrank 7.2 percent to 1.87 million units for the nine months of this year compared to a year ago period. But convertible laptop’s shipments jumped to 11,600 units from 2,600 units over the same period.

To ride on the rising demand for the convertible laptop, LG Electronics is also readying to introduce a new convertible laptop model with its official market release scheduled as next month. Industry watchers anticipate LG’s new convertible laptop to weigh around 1 kilogram.

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