Taiwan's Asustek to ship 27 pct more laptops in 2007

TAIPEI, Dec 18 (Reuters) Asustek Computer Inc. , the world's largest motherboard maker, said on Monday it aimed to ship 27 percent more laptops next year, though mobile phone shipments will fall as it focuses on the high-end market.

The company is aiming to ship 7 million laptop computers in 2007, up from an expected 5.5 million units this year, said Benson Lin, Asustek's Asia Pacific sales president.

Lin also told reporters the company was targeting shipments of 300,000 mobile phones next year, down from 400,000 this year as the firm moved to the higher end of the market by selling luxury mobile phones.

As a result, the average selling price (ASP) for cellphones will probably rise to T,000 (US7) next year from T,000 this year, said Alan Chen, account manager for the cell phone division.

The comments came after Asustek's shares ended 0.68 percent higher at T.10, underperforming the main TAIEX <.twii> index's 1.14 percent rise.

Asustek, which counts top PC vendors Apple Computer Inc.

and Sony Corp. as major clients, competes with Acer Inc. in its own-branded business and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. in its contract manufacturing segment.

REUTERS DKS DS1402