IC demand for notebooks is picking up, and the outlook for replacement demand triggered by Microsoft's Windows 10 is more positive, according to sources at Taiwan-based PC-related IC suppliers.

IC orders for notebooks started to grow in the latter half of third-quarter 2015, with order visibility becoming clear to the fourth quarter, said the sources.

Judging from orders received thus far in the second half of 2015, the sources estimated that notebook shipments worldwide will likely register single-digit sequential growth in the third and fourth quarters of the year.

In addition, the sources expressed more optimism about PC replacement demand triggered by Windows 10. Feedback from users which have upgraded to the new OS is quite positive, which will give notebook vendors the confidence to promote their new Windows 10 models, the sources noted.

The number of devices installing Microsoft's Windows 10 could reach as high as 100 million units by the end of the third quarter, the sources said. The new OS became available on July 29.