Is Apple's iPad Delaying or Replacing Notebook Purchases?

The tech world cannot go a month without speculating about the negative impact that Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPad is having on traditional laptop computers. But is this impact overblown?

According to DigiTimes (via AppleInsider), Wistron chairman Simon Lin believes that the iPad's effect on global notebook sales is declining "mainly because tablet PCs, including Android models, focus on entertainment rather than working and learning as provided by notebooks."

Wistron is an original design manufacturer (ODM) in Taiwan. Lin believes that notebooks will regain their demand after Windows 8 is released by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) in the fall. He also thinks that the Ivy Bridge processors from Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) could have a positive impact.

Additionally, Lin said that by absorbing a portion of consumer budgets, the iPad has caused a delay in new notebook purchases.

DigiTimes added, "Regarding the global outlook for notebooks in the second half of 2012, Acer, Asustek Computer and Samsung Electronics are optimistic while Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) and Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) are neutral, sources indicated."

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