ASUSTek Computer Inc. (TAIEX:2357) was the top notebook computer maker in Taiwan in the first half of this year, enjoying a domestic market share of nearly 30 percent, according to a report by the International Data Corporation (IDC).

ASUSTek outperformed other domestic and foreign notebook computer makers by grabbing a market share of 29 percent, or about 40,000 units sold, the IDC report shows.

Taiwan-based Acer Corp. (TAIEX:2306) came in second with a market share of 20 percent by selling more than 29,000 notebook computers. The United States-based IBM Corp. followed in third spot with over 20,000 units sold, for a market share of 15 percent.

Meanwhile, the United States-based Hewlett-Packard Corp. sold only 12,000 units, reflecting its declining market share that has dropped to less than 10 percent.

According to an IBM executive, foreign-based laptop computer manufacturers have steadily grabbed a market share of about 25 percent in recent years in the Taiwan market, while the leading three Taiwan makers, including BenQ, have enjoyed a market share of about 55 percent.

Taiwan computer users are highly loyal to the five leading brand names, the IBM executive said. He pointed out that the three Taiwan-based companies are competing hotly against one another, while the two U.S.-based rivals have been vying against each other for a larger slice of the Taiwan pie.

From YahooTech Asia