Notebook outsell Desktop PCs globally

For the first time in its history, laptop sells globally outpaced its much bulkier predecessor, according to the research firm iSuppli.

Notebook sells outrun the desktop PC sales for the first time last quarter, according to the research firm iSuppli. Worldwide, PC Company’s shipment of notebooks increased by almost 40% year-over-year to 38.6 million, compared to desktop PCs which grew only 1.3% at 38.5 million units.

This might be good news for vendors like Apple, which is increasingly a notebook company - if this trend continues which as of now looks certain. Last month, which will be reflected in iSuppli's Q4 analysis - Apple's U.S. notebook sales, led by new MacBooks, increased 22% year-over-year, about 1.5 times the rate that Windows-based notebook sales grew, according to research firm NPD Group. - That won't translate directly to Apple's worldwide share, it's not nearly as popular outside the U.S., but it's still a good trend.

Main concern for Apple is now that its cheapest laptop starts at $1000 and has a large display, whereas you’ll get a similar configuration “Netbooks” by shelling out half the price. It is in the air that the Steve Jobs led company might unveil tablet PCs to counter this. And looking at the astronomical attention the iPhone 3G got, they can breathe easy for now.