iPad Halts Growth in Netbook Market

Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty, says growth in U.S. netbook sales has been on the decline ever since Apple announced the iPad

"US consumer PC, and especially notebook, growth decelerated in January when Apple introduced the iPad and again in April when the iPad launched," Huberty wrote in a note to clients this morning. "Given the corresponding increase in ASPs in the market, we believe much of the demand shortfall came from netbooks and low-cost notebooks. What's more, US retail netbook unit growth decelerated to about 5 percent YoY in April from 25 percent in March and 53 percent in February, according to NPD."