Compared to the past years where consumer models constitute for the largest share of total notebook PC shipments, it is no longer the case since the first quarter of 2014 when Microsoft terminated the support for Windows XP in April 2014. While taking the safety into consideration, most enterprises have been keen on upgrading their hardware devices to support new software.

As the result, the replacement demand for commercial notebook PCs unleashed in the second half of 2013 and continued well into the first quarter of 2014. The industry's decline slows down in the first quarter of 2014, mainly as a consequence of the increased share of commercial notebook PCs which has offset the shrinking demand for consumer models because of tablets.

Figure I: Greater China Notebook PC Shipment Volume, 2Q 2012 - 1Q 2015