Asustek Computer and Micro-Star International (MSI) are expected to ship 1.1 million and 900,000 units of gaming notebooks, respectively, in 2015, together accounting for over 50% of estimated global shipments of 3.8-4 million units in the year, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

Dell has been targeting the high-end segment with its shipments expected to reach over 100,000 units in 2015, while other vendors including Acer, Lenovo, HP, Razer, Gigabyte Technology and Haier share the remaining shipments, said the sources.

However, competition in the gaming notebook sector is expected to further heat up in 2016 as Lenovo, Haier, Dell and Acer have stepped up efforts to ramp sales.

Lenovo has teamed up with Razer to promote dual-brand products, while Haier has recently enhanced the portfolio of its Thunderobot-series gaming products, commented the sources.

Meanwhile, Asustek has continued to pour resources into the development of gaming notebooks in order to maintain its leading market position, with plans to launch new premier models shortly, indicated the sources.

Global shipments of gaming notebooks are expected to increase to 4.5-5 million units in 2016, the sources estimated.