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TAIPEI -- OEM/ODM Micro-Star International will refocus its notebook computer line on the hot netbook market and may spin off its Wind brand of low-cost "nettop" PCs.

MSI is one of several Taiwan-based companies that both design and build PCs under its own brand and for third-parties. The company also supplies motherboards and graphics cards.

MSI shipped a reported three million netbooks and notebooks in 2008, mainly to Europe. It debuted some 25 PC models in 2008 and could roll out as many as 30 this year.

The company ships about an equal number of netbooks and PCs each year, and while it forecasts the second quarter to be a trough, it expects substantial growth overall in 2009.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Delta Electronics has decided to postpone an investment of $50 million in a new telecommunications and computer parts factory in Chennai, India. Anusorn Muttaraid, executive director for Delta, cites the uncertain global economy for the decision.

AUSTIN, TX – National Instruments (NI) has reported a fourth-quarter preliminary revenue estimate of $202 million. This is a 1% year-over-year decline. The company is forecasting approximately $820 million in revenue for the year, an 11% increase year-over-year.

NEW YORK -- Is the semiconductor industry about to turn up? One Wall Street analyst thinks so.

Wachovia analyst David Wong has upgraded the semiconductor sector to overweight from market weight, saying a recovery could come in the next quarter.

TAIPEI -- Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) this year will oversee distribution of Apple products in mainland China, according to various media reports, including China's Commercial Times.

Quoting an unnamed Taiwanese media sources, the reports claim Hon Hai plans to increase IT product sales channels in China using its consumer electronics division and mainland subsidiary channel distributor Cyber Mart.

One report went so far as to claim that Hon Hai seeks to become the largest channel distributor of consumer electronics for mainland China.