Computer prices are rising

For the first time in the past few years, the average price of computers has increased, in stark contrast to the downward trend of other electronic items.

In November, the average retail price of a US computer is 615USD, up 6% from last year's 580USD price. According to market research firm NPD Group, the average price of computers has increased over the past 6-8 months, compared to 2009 prices.

The price of computers including desktops, laptops and netbooks, excluding tablets - increased, drastically changed the $ 250 billion computer market worldwide. This market has for years faced with a downward trend even though products are getting stronger and stronger.

In fact, the downward trend in computer prices in recent years has made profit margins of major manufacturers such as HP and Dell decline. Now manufacturers are focusing on high-end products and seeing an expansion in profit margins.

In the quarter ended in October, HP's average selling price rose 3% a year, and its profit margin rose to 5.5% from 4.7% a year ago. Dell's profit margin has also increased by 6.7% in the last quarter of October, compared with 4.8% a year ago. PaulHenri Ferrand, Dell's consumer product marketing manager, said high-end models are flooding stores.

The introduction of new tablets and stable laptop prices has gradually brought a reversal for computer prices in general. This shopping season, HP focuses on Envy laptops equipped with high-end entertainment speakers, with a starting price of 999 USD. In stark contrast to last year, when the company had to offer strong discounts and discounts.

Another factor that made the computer market reverse was Apple. Currently, Apple has increased its market share in the US to 10.4% from 9.3% last year. But Apple kept the average price for its computer products at around $ 1,360.

'We are seeing consumers willing to pay more,' said Wayne Surdam, a vice president of HP.

Computer prices are increasing, which is different from the declining trend of other electronic items. Last month, the average price of Blu-ray players fell 21%, to $ 123 over the same period last year; The average price of flat-panel TVs dropped 9% to $ 550.

But with computers, 'the price has reached a threshold that cannot be lower,' said Stephen Baker, a researcher with NPD. The price of a laptop running Windows software increased 2%, the first increase since about 2004. Currently, the average price of Windows laptops is about 453 USD, while the desktop computer is about 508 USD, up from Price 477 USD 1 year ago.

In addition to market conditions, rising computer prices also reflect changes in consumer purchases. More and more users want to buy models with more features, such as sharing and presenting good movies and music videos - and they are ready to 'purse' these requirements.