As touchscreen notebooks are expected to account for a double-digit share of the global notebook market in 2013, up from only a single-digit percentage in 2012, notebook brand vendors have turned aggressive about securing touch panel supplies with many even placing security deposits to ensure smooth supplies, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.
Touch panel makers have been devoting more of their capacity to meet strong demand from the tablet and smartphone segments, and at the same time large-size touch panel supply is still being impacted by low yield rates, the sources said. Therefore, securing touch panel supply has become important for notebook brand vendors.
With Windows 8's touchscreen features and Intel's plan to make touch panels a standard specification of Haswell-based ultrabooks - which are set to launch in June - penetration of touchscreen notebooks are expected to rise gradually in the second half.
Taiwan-based touch panel makers Cando and TPK are both expanding their capacity and monthly capacity for the 14-inch segment at the two companies are expected to reach 3.6-4 million units after the expansions completed. In 2013, touchscreen notebooks' penetration is expected to reach at least 15% and may surpass 20%.
To avoid excessive inventories, touch panel makers are no longer expanding their capacity blindly. Touch panel makers are happy to see the currently healthy demand/supply status, although downstream partners, especially white-box makers, are under pressure, the sources said.
Source: DigiTimes
