The Big Four Taiwanese mainboard manufactures reported their shipments for February. Considering generally weak computer hardware market as well as fewer business days during the month, all mainboard makers excluding MSI indicated weaker sales compared to January.

It is interesting to note that ECS, ASUSTeK and MSI supplied 1.40 million of mainboards each (MSI’s results are estimated to be between 1.350 to 1.40 million), however, for ASUS and MSI it means 25.5% and 15.2% decline from January’s 1.650 and 1.880 million of products respectively, while MSI’s shipments either remained flat or reduced only 3.5%! Gigabyte Technology, who sold 1.20 million of mainboards in January declined to comment on February’s shipments, though, Goldman Sachs estimates that Gigabyte supplied 950 thousands of its mainboards.

The reasons of MSI’s so promising performance are not so clear at the moment, the only thing I have to ascertain is that MSI, who has been making a lot of efforts to expand its market share by offering not so expensive, but quality and reliable products, is now probably the most perspective among the Big Four in terms of growth. As MSI makes desktop and notebook mainboards for HP and Dell Computers, it definitely does not need to worry about shipments this year, as both leading PC vendors are going to strengthen their positions in 2003.

ASUSTeK also makes a lot of products for its OEM clients, including Dell, Intel and HP, so, they are also likely to enjoy great sales this year.

With growing popularity of cheap computer components as well as barebones and portable computers ECS will be able to increase the revenues in 2003.

Gigabyte Technology also has rather competitive product portfolio, but sells majority of its products to retail customers. Since retail market has been shrinking for about a year already, company’s overall positions on the market will get weaker unless it changes its policy.