Global PC market growing

But US static

By Aoife Carr, ElectricNews.net • Get more from this author

Posted in Financial News, 21st December 2006 11:07 GMT

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Growth in the worldwide PC market has increased by 9.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2006 despite stagnant growth in the US.

The latest figures from tech sector market intelligence firm IDC show that in the US overall PC shipments remained unchanged year-on-year for the third quarter of 2006, compared to more than five per cent growth in the first half of 2006. Shipments increased roughly 10 per cent annually for 2003 to 2005.

Interestingly, weak demand was felt slightly more in the commercial segment than in the consumer segment - indicating factors other than the release of Microsoft's new Vista system affected the market.

Growth in other regions, however, was better than expected. This kept third quarter results in line with forecasts and limited the impact of slower US sales on worldwide projections for the coming year.

Outside the US, third quarter shipments were up 13.5 per cent, in line with projections for 2006 and 2007.

"Growth in PC shipments remains strong despite slower growth in the US in Q3 and in Europe and Japan in the second quarter," said Loren Loverde, director of IDCÂ’s worldwide quarterly PC tracker unit.

"The market is moving toward portable PCs and emerging markets even faster than expected. While growth in these areas is welcome, the outlook for mature markets is becoming more conservative," she added.

In light of the third quarter results, with weak demand in the US, growth projections have been lowered by roughly one per cent through 2010. Nevertheless, IDC continues to expect double-digit growth through 2008, with growth slipping below nine percent in 2009 and 2010.

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