Computer businessmen tend to call it a 'Year of Notebook with growing popularity of the small computers. They noted 30 percent rise in sale of this type of computers this year. The trend was growing as youths the home users in particular were looking to the latest technology.
Laptops and notebooks, having a strong foothold in markets, are popular among different age groups thanks to relatively low price and mobility.
A recent visit to Computer City and Computer Market in the capital gave the flavour as the markets were buzzing with the bargaining of youths, majority from different educational institutions. Laptops, notebooks, desktop computers, printers, modems, cameras were among their main choices.
The businessmen said about 40 percent of the customers were gamers. According to them, the entry-level home users come to the market for relatively cheaper computer within a limit of on average. Many home users buy laptop at higher prices too, but most of the computers with high configuration go to gamers' homes.
A businessman said notebook computers with seven-to-ten-inch monitor and atom processor were very popular because of the mobility and power efficiency.
Ahmed Hasan, managing director of Ryans Computers, that computer markets were enjoying the trend as the distribution channels grew stronger.
"There were also demand for the 'small office, home office (SOHO)' computer accessories," said Hasan adding the sale of Internet connecting device was lifting up.
SM Saied Mamun, chief executive officer of 3S Computer, said ordinary users come to ECS Computer Market and bargain a lot. The good customers run to BCS Computer City, he added.
Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, general manager of RM Systems Ltd, said almost no new product came to this year because of the global economic meltdown. But the market was flamboyant with Windows Seven Operating System, Intel's Core-I Seven processor, Apple's IPod Nano with camera, changeable configuration for laptops, one terabyte hard disk etc.
Customers are more interested in 'lifestyle' products, said the businessmen.
