Price is gradually becoming the priority consideration for consumers who want to purchase a notebook and upstream CPU makers' efforts to launch new platforms has not benefited overall ASPs, therefore, sources from channel vendors are concerned that their profitability will see even more pressure in the future.

The sources pointed out that a not-so-high price is the consumer's priority consideration, with specifications being the second. Since notebook brand vendors have been dropping their notebook prices for competition, while the appearance of netbooks has given consumers the belief that notebook products should be low price, consumers now are becoming less-willing to spend much on a notebook.

Sources from notebook brand vendors pointed out that US$499-699 is the mainstream price point for notebooks and branded notebooks that are priced above the range will face difficulty to see strong sales. Since consumers are becoming less sensitive about specifications, mainstream notebooks that feature new platforms now only have a price gap of US$70-150 compared to older models and the gap will continue to shrink, the sources noted.

Apple and Sony, which used to price their notebook between US$1,200-1,500, have also changed their price strategy. Sony launched C-series notebooks for the entry-level market, while Apple has also recently launched a MacBook Air with a price below US$1,000 to cut into the mainstream market.