August 9, 2010
Apple overtakes Dell, HP as student laptop choice
ZD Net
Zack Whittaker writes that based on research from Student Monitor, Apple has now become the top consumer choice brand for students.
“CNN reports via a student-focused research firm called Student Monitor, that Apple has replaced other major laptop manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Toshiba and Sony as the top consumer choice for students. Apple takes first place, Dell in second, HP third and Sony – a major notebook and laptop manufacturer in a measly fifth place with as many percentage points.”
Will notebook demand slacken in second half of 2010?
ZD Net
Sean Portnoy writes why the demand for notebooks may be slowing down in North America right now.
“As reported by Digitimes, the inventory level for notebooks in Europe and North America is higher than normal, a possible indication that demand is slowing. Such inventory usually totals three to four weeks of supply, but current inventory has grown to five to six weeks, according to sources in the component industry. Perhaps as a result of bulging inventories, component orders from laptop manufacturers were down last month. Given the role tech spending has played in the mild recovery that’s occurred thus far in 2010, weakening demand for laptops could be a disappointing sign of an economy slowing down again.”
Google confirms Slide acquisition, continues its push into social
ZD Net
Sam Diaz writes about Google’s acquisition of a social widget company called Slide.
“The acquisition pushes Google further into the social networking business, if you will. The company’s strategy on social is still unclear and there have been many who have questioned whether or not it’s in Google’s DNA to be ‘social’ in that sense. After all, building people relationships via algorithms is no easy task. The company didn’t give up any details on its plans for the product and how it will incorporate it into existing products, nor did it share any of the financial terms of the deal. TechCrunch, citing unnamed sources, reported earlier this week that the deal carried a price tag of $182 million, plus another $46 million in employee retention bonuses.”
