Laptops Outselling Desktops for First Time

Laptops have outsold desktops in the US for the first time in a calendar month, according to recent research. Lower prices, improved quality and performance, and an increase in the mobility requirements of computer users leads some experts to believe the sales trend will grow.

Greg Sandoval, Associated Press - After tracking sales from a sampling of electronics retailers, Current Analysis says notebook sales accounted for 53 percent of the total personal computer market last month, up from 46 percent during the same period last year. San Diego-based Current Analysis does not follow worldwide personal computer sales.

Spurring demand for notebooks is their overall price drop as quality has improved, says Sam Bhavnani, senior analyst for Current Analysis. "Just a few years ago, the performance of notebooks was nowhere near where it is today," he said. Notebooks will continue to grab bigger shares of the PC market, said Bhavnani. "You’re not going to see the desktop go away though."