Apple snags top spot in ABI's Ultrabook assessment
updated 07:57 pm EST, Tue November 13, 2012
Lenovo, Samsung take next two spots
ABI Research released its newest Ultrabook Competitive Assessment today, with Apple snagging the top spot in ABI's assessment, well ahead of Lenovo and Samsung, which placed second and third respectively. The Assessment gauges innovation and implementation in the ultraportable segment, and Apple scored an 84.7 out of a possible 100 by ABI's measure. Lenovo and Samsung had respective scores of 77.5 and 74.4.
The Assessment measures a vendor's market presence, global reach and strategy, product portfolio, strategic partners, and market support functions for the Implementation metric. For Innovation, ABI looks at the form factor, performance, features, product portfolio, price, and portability of a vendor's offerings.
ABI credited Apple's dominant position with regard to global presence and market strategy for its MacBook Air line as a prime factor for its high ranking. Samsung placed second in its marketing activities, followed by Lenovo.
Analysts at ABI noted that the ultraportable segment has yet to truly take off, a position borne out in segment's struggling sales record. Ultraportable manufacturers have been largely unable as yet to develop marketing schemes that generate interest or to hit a price point that would truly drive adoption. Industry observers have, consequently, continually downgraded their outlooks for the segment, though it is generally believed that ultraportable shipments will rise in the coming year.
