Figures from research house IDC reveal the global PC market is still strong, helped by price competion and increasing demand for laptops. In total, 41.2m machines were shipped in the first quarter of 2004, an increase of 16.5 per cent on the same period last year.

Europe, Middle East and Africa saw the strongest growth at 20 per cent. IDC credited the strong euro, demand for portable machines and strong demand from consumers and small and medium businesses for the growth.

Dell had a good quarter with year on year growth of 28 per cent and shipped 7.7m boxes. HP saw growth of 15.8 per cent, less than the market overall grew. IDC said HP growth was mainly consumer-driven - it will need to win more business orders to increase market share. HP accounted for 15.6 per cent of total shipments, down slightly from 15.7 per cent in the same period a year ago.

Loren Loverde, director of IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, said: "This quarter's results reveal a robust market and the improving business demand we've been looking for. A number of factors, including an aging installed base, rapid portable adoption, and aggressive pricing, should continue to drive growth into 2005." ®

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