Legend Group is aiming to boost its share of China's notebook computer market to 20% in 2004 from 15% in 2003, said Lu Jianjun, president of the company's international procurement office (IPO) in Taipei. Taiwanese notebook makers and industry observers estimate that notebook sales in China could grow to 1.5 million to 1.8 million units in 2004 from between 900,000 and one million last year.

For Legend to reach its 20% market share goal, it would have to deliver at least 300,000 notebooks this year. Legend sold about 150,000 notebooks in China in 2003, according to Lu. Legend, which holds a 30% share of China's desktop PC market, intends to widen its lead over other notebook vendors, Lu said.

Legend's goal could be good news for Taiwan as the company outsources notebook production to Taiwanese manufacturers, including Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics, Wistron, First International Computer (FIC) and Mitac International. In separate news, the Chinese-language Commercial Times reported today that Legend plans to reduce the number of its contract manufacturers in Taiwan to three in 2004.