Vendors Have Negative Response to Windows 8, Says Analyst

One analyst traveled across Asia and discovered an overwhelming negative outlook of Windows 8.

Business Insider reports that Topeka Capital analyst Brian White recently traveled through Asia to meet with supply chain manufacturers. He discovered that they were "overwhelmingly negative" about Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 platform, and reports that the supply chain thinks there will be "little life" after the Windows 8 launch on October 26.

"Although October is expected to be the sweet spot for the notebook ramp for Windows 8, and further follow through is likely in November, we were warned of idle facilities in December," White stated. "One of our contacts does not expect Windows 8 to be material until the second-half of 2013."

The analyst also said enthusiasm for Ultrabooks in the supply chain has deteriorated, as the cost structure remains too high under Intel's current specifications. That less-than-stellar enthusiasm seems to echo a similar comment made by GBI Research in a recent report.

"The high prices of Ultrabooks compared to notebooks and tablet PCs is a major market challenge for manufacturers like HP, Dell, ASUS and Acer," the report said. "However, factors like the reduction in the processor prices, hardware and software support, funding from Intel and reduction in flash memory prices will have a significant impact on the overall Ultrabooks market sales in the long term."

GBI Research said it expects the global Ultrabook market to reach $75.8 billion in revenue in 2016, from just $1.3 billion in 2011, growing at a CAGR of 69.2-percent during 2012–2016.

On Monday Topeka Capital's Brian White said that due to the lackluster reception of Windows 8 and the still-high cost of Ultrabooks, the firm believes the PC industry "is headed for a muted December quarter and well below the ramp expected with new products."

Windows 8 will be here in less than two weeks. OEMs have already started introducing their upcoming launch products to the public including Lenovo, Vizio, Acer, Sony, Dell, Logitech, and more.

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