8 million mini laptops will be sold out in 2008

According to Taiwan's Market Survey Center (MIC), global sales of mini laptops (also known as netbooks) this year will reach 8.02 million units, and may double. In 2009.

Netbook - the new style of mobile PC - usually weighs less than 1kg, equipped with 7-10 inch LCD screen, long battery life and wireless Internet connection. Netbook prices are lower than the average of laptops, ranging from US $ 199-599.

According to MIC, the number of netbooks sold in 2009 could reach 18.3 million units.

Taiwanese companies currently dominate the global netbook market. Last year, Asustek Computer launched the first commercial netbook (Eee PC) and this year also followed with several new versions of the product. Other Taiwanese companies have recently begun to enter the netbook market, such as Acer with Aspire one, Micro-Star International (MSI) with Wind, Giga-byte Technology with M912 .

Hewlett-Packard, the world's largest PC retailer, and Dell are also involved. Earlier this year, HP introduced the Mini-Note to the public, while Dell plans to launch the first netbook named E. in the near future.

Chris Wei, an analyst with MIC, said: ' A series of new netbooks launched in the market will lead to competition in selling prices, which is a good signal for consumers .'

Last month, Jerry Shen, chairman of Asustek, predicted sales of Eee PCs could reach 10 million next year, more than double the 5 million Eee PC forecast in 2008. Acer officials also predict their Aspire one sales will reach 5-7 million units this year and 15-20 million units in 2009.