There is an interesting growing consumer trend in South Africa when it comes to computer purchases. More and more people are going for the convertible or the two-in-one mobile computers.
The two-in-one or convertible notebooks serve both as a tablet and a laptop at the same time. Users seeking devices that are versatile and functional are turning to these convertible computers in masses. The devices are not only very portable, they are also easy when it comes to media consumption while on the go.
This revelation was made by Gorge Moss, the Dell’s CSG Business Unit Manager at the Tarsus Distribution. Moss said that the sale of the two-in-one form factors are rapidly on the rise in South Africa. That is probably why Dell has shifted its focus to produce more of the convertible form factors notebook to the South African market.
“Two-in-one Windows devices have been available for several years, but uptake has been relatively slow to date,” said Moss. “One reason for this was that the general market-pricing, across all major vendors was expensive compared to a tablet or traditional notebook, restricting the potential size of the customer base. In addition, purchasing a two-in-one used to mean making some trade-offs in terms of power and battery life.”
OEMs such as Dell have begun supplying the market with a wider selection of these two-in-one notebooks, with prices ranging from as high as R35,000 to as low as R11,000.
“The results is that the form factor is starting to find favor both with people who need a mid-range workhorse and those who want something a little more powerful,” said Moss.
The rise in popularity of the two-in-one devices is negatively impacting the demand for pure tablet computer. According to the GfK South Africa, a point-of-sale tracking data, in the Q1 of 2018, there was a 38.9% decline in revenues from tablet computers. In contrasts, the general mobile computing industry grew by 6.5% year-on-year within the same quarter.
“Tablet computers still have a place in the market, especially at the lower-end, with products in the sub-R2,000 price band. But outside of some niches – they’re popular as a kids’ media consumption devices. For example – tablets are getting squeezed between smartphones with larger displays and better screen quality and the wider choice of two-in-ones.”
Apparently 13-inched two-in-ones are more popular with users. They also go for the ones with docking, USB-C charging, and fast internet connections.
“Two-in-ones today perform well in tablet, tent, and other modes, while retaining the practicality and functionality of a regular laptop. Convertibles and other two-in-ones remain a small part of the overall PC market, but are growing into an interesting opportunity for the channel in a mobile computing sector that is mostly slow and flat,” adds Moss.
