According to analysts, the global PC shipments in 2012 are expected to grow 6.3% (compared to 2.3% in 2011) thanks to strong demand for ultrabooks (super-slim and -lightweight notebook PCs), though tablet PCs might encroach on some market share owned by notebook PCs.

In 2012, HP's global market share is projected to be 17.4% (17.9% in 2011), compared to Lenovo's 13.8% (12.2%) and Dell's 12.5% (12.6%).

Industry insiders said that HP's 2012 assembly orders are shared mainly by three Taiwanese contractors including Quanta Computer Inc., Inventec Corp. and Wistron Corp. Quanta will land orders for some 20 to 24 million units, while Inventec and Wistron about 11 to 12.5 million and seven to 9 million, respectively. Compal Electronics Inc. will also contract supply some one to two million PCs to HP in 2012.

Industry sources said that more and more PC contract orders have returned to ODMs as Quanta, Inventec and Wistron from EMS (electronics manufacturing services) providers, leading to more stable profit margins for contractors who expect average margins of 4.5% or higher in 2012.

The institutional investors said that Quanta is expected to enjoy shipment growth of 8% to 10% in 2012, with server and tablet PC becoming new growth momentums.

Wistron said that its shipments of tablet PC, handheld devices and notebook PCs would enjoy an average growth of 20% in 2012, with institutional investors forecasting the company's server business to account for about 5% of total revenue, from 4% in 2011.

In addition, Google's executive chairman recently disclosed the Google tablet PC will be announced within six months, with market rumor pointing to Compal having a big chance to land such contract assembly order.