Malaysia and Vietnam posted the highest rise in demand for 15-inch laptops in the first three quarters of this year, at a time when consumer trends are shifting toward the latest portable devices, findings released Thursday by a market research firm show.

The two countries garnered additional sales in this particular segment of around 142,000 and 96,000 units this year compared to last year, Gerard Tan, account director for digital world at the Asia business of German-based GfK, said.

“Falling prices are one of the key attributing factors aiding the strong growth of the 15 inch laptop segment, as the gap between 14 and 15 inch models has significantly narrowed in the past one year,“ Tan added.

“In Malaysia for instance, consumers snapped up more 15 inch laptops when average price fell by 16 percent compared to last year, reducing the price difference from that of smaller sized models.”

In spite of recent technological advancements in mobile devices, sales of mobile computers from January to September 2014 managed to hit nearly 4.9 million units in Southeast Asia’s six key markets, GfK said in its latest market tracking report.

The tracked markets include Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Indonesia is the largest market, contributing to over a third (35 percent) of overall laptop sales volume and a lower proportion of 28 percent of sales value, according to the German market research firm.

Malaysia follows as the second biggest market, accounting for 21 and 22 percent respectively of the region’s total volume and value.

“The growing focus towards convenience and portability in recent years has shifted consumer preference towards buying mobile devices like smartphones and tablets; inevitably impacting the demand of the overall laptop market,” Tan, the account director, said.

“At the same time, Thailand’s lackluster sales due to the political unrest which took place earlier in this year had some bearing on the sector’s performance in the region.“

Although trending down in general, the newest GfK retail findings revealed that laptops with larger screen sizes have been gaining ground.

While all other sizes performed poorly when compared to a year ago, the 15- and 17-inch and above size segments indicated strong growth of 61 and 49 percent in take-up rates. 

Total market share of the slightly smaller 15 inch category expanded by eight percent to occupy 18 percent of the region’s overall sales – making up nearly one in every five laptops sold.

“With the portability criteria already fulfilled by smartphones and tablets, it makes sense for consumers who are still seeking smart connected devices to acquire a device with a larger screen,” Tan explained.

“Besides, consumers are increasingly using computers for consumption of digital content these days and bigger screens make for better viewing experiences.“

Tan added that consumers have been delaying their purchase of mobile computers as they put their dollars toward other newer, more innovative mobile devices.

“However, as their laptop goes through the usual cycle and is due for an upgrade, we can expect some form of recovery in the time to come,” he concluded.

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