HP thrashing Umax in scanner market

Survey A survey by PC Data on the retail scanner market said that HP is "eclipsing" Taiwanese firm Umax. Ouch! The spin doctors had better be careful they don't overuse this word too much, today, else they'll get a thrashing... According to PC Data, HP's move to compete in the retail market has meant it doubled its unit share from 13 per cent in June 1998 to 26 per cent in June this year. But while the retail market for scanners has rocketed, any company playing in the field is seeing declining margins, with retail prices steadily dropping. PC Data says that unit sales in the sub-$100 market represent 62 per cent of the total units sold retail, compared to 39 per cent in the same period last year. ®