Asian PC market bounces back to pre-crisis point

PC shipments in the Asia/Pacific region were up at the end of last year, according to an IDC report released today. The results suggested a rebound in some regional markets, with shipments for the fourth quarter increasing seven per cent on the same period last year and 11 per cent on Q3. Total regional PC shipments totalled 2.89 million units for the quarter, a record high for the regional PC market. However, figures for the entire year were down. According to preliminary figures, 10.47 million PCs were shipped in 1998, compared to 10.54 million in 1997. IDC predicted the worst was over for the Asia/Pacific region, predicting 1999 would see the market pick up by at least 14 per cent. Compaq was named as top of the PC market, with 8.5 per cent market share. IBM was a close second with 8.1 per cent, and Legend and Hewlett-Packard shared third place with 4.7 per cent. Legend and Dell saw the greatest growth, with 73.4 per cent and 45.9 per cent respectively. Apple saw solid growth for the second consecutive quarter, which IDC put down to the success of the iMac. Not all markets saw PC sales pick up. Indonesia, Thailand and Korea saw shipments fall 81.8 per cent, 40.5 per cent and 34.3 per cent respectively. Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong also suffered. The strongest countries across the Asia/Pacific region were China, India, Australia, Taiwan and New Zealand. ®