Acer targets top spot in world Notebook market

According to Acer Chairman Wang Jeng-Tang, the world number two notebook PC manufacturer expects to sell about 40 million notebook PCs next year, a 50 percent jump from 2009 figures. Wang is also confident that Acer's revenue will increase by 15 percent as a result of this.

"Acer will challenge Hewlett-Packard next year to become the world's biggest notebook brand. Hewlett-Packard also has big goals, so our battle for the crown will be a tough battle," he said.

Wang believes that Acer will be able to trump Hewlett-Packard for top spot in shipments of netbooks and medium notebooks but will narrowly lose to Hewlett-Packard in shipments of traditional notebooks. 

In fact, the vicious battle between the two manufacturers has already begun in a few selected markets. Both makers are working to reduce retail prices for their products in order to gain a bigger market share, with HP offering some sub-$300 models in the United States.  In response, Acer is set take appropriate measures to outdo Hewlett-Packard by promoting its ultra-thin and netbook devices.

Meanwhile, Acer has announced its ambitious plans to boost PC sales in the world's biggest electronic market, China. The company hopes that Acer notebook PCs can account for 10 percent of China's local market before the end of the year. Acer chief executive Gianfranco Lanci also expects the company to become one of the top three PC brands in China by next year.