The global notebook market suffered a 4.5% drop sequentially in the third quarter of 2012 and 11.6% year-over-year, according to DigiTimes Research (www.digitimes.com). Apple, however, wasn’t affected.

“The economic downturn, as well as inventory adjustments in retail channels and consumers’ wait-and-see attitude to PC purchasing due to Windows 8’s upcoming launch were all drivers causing weak shipments in the third quarter,” says DigiTimes Research Senior Analyst Joanne Chien.

Apple had the best performance in the quarter with a sequential growth of nearly 30%. The vendor’s new products announced in June have received good feedback from the market, and the company was able to maintain a stable orders each month in the third quarter, according to DigiTimes Research.