The founder of Acer, who is struggling from slow sales, claims that tablet sales are impacting notebook sales.Stan Shih claims that the PC industry needs to add more value and be more innovative when it comes to designing and delivering tablets if they are to compete with Apple.

Mr Shih said that Acer’s forthcoming tablet computer, which has a 7-inch screen, would take advantage of the fact that consumers want low-priced, convenient products.

His views contrast with those of analyst Ben Reitzes of Barclays Capital, who last week said he expected tablet computers to continue to weaken the laptop market this year.

Mr Reitzes said he expected “to see more muted demand for notebooks than previously expected in the second half [of 2011] given uncertainty in European markets and pressure from tablets”.

The analyst also said that he did not expect Ultrabooks – the lightweight, high-powered laptop concept touted by Intel – to gain much traction this year. He said: “While Intel’s Ultrabook concept is generating buzz, we do not expect Ultrabooks to materially drive shipments in our model given the expected $1k+ price points.”

Earlier this week, Samsung launched its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in Europe, which according to some retailers has become the fastest selling tablet since the iPad 2. An application by Apple to the Australian Federal Court saw the Samsung tablet withdrawn from sale in Australia.