According to Digitimes Research, beancounters weakening demand in the consumer sector and a corporate reorganisation at Asustek Computer offset gains resulting from better-than-expected Chromebook sales and brisk sales of gaming models in China.

Notebook shipments are expected to see a boost in the fourth quarter as it is traditionally a peak season, fuelled by year-end holiday sales and Double Eleven online shopping day in China.

Google is flat out promoting Chromebooks in the consumer market, and Microsoft and other brands are pushing notebook sales, including leasing, in the business sector.

Global notebook shipments are expected to reach 41.72 million units in the fourth quarter, up 2.3 percent on quarter and 0.5 percent from a year earlier.

The slow pace of the shipment growth for the fourth quarter indicates that the current rebound in the notebook market is toast.

HP has maintained its leading market position and see its shipments reach a new high in the fourth quarter, powered by brisk sales both in the consumer and business sectors. Lenovo is second as its shipments will resume momentum following the completion of its recent management reshuffle.

Dell gets the bronze as it ships over 60 percent of its products to the business segment, where the sector growth is lower than that for the consumer market.

Fruity cargo-cult Apple has seen its shipments decline in the fourth quarter mostly because it could not be bothered releasing new products.

Asustek Computer will see shipments rebound in the fourth quarter, outracing Acer to capture the fifth position.