Worldwide PC Market Grew 12% in Q1 of 2008 Apr 17, 2008

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Worldwide PC shipments totaled 71.1 million units in the first quarter of 2008, a 12.3% increase from the first quarter of 2007, according to Gartner, Inc.

Hewlett-Packard extended its lead during the first quarter of 2008, as its worldwide market share increased to 18.3%, compared to a year ago. Dell registered its second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in the worldwide market. Almost all regions grew higher than the regional average. Rapid retail expansion, as well as channel business, contributed to the solid shipment growth.

U.S. PC shipments reached 15.2 million units in the first quarter of 2008, a 3% increase from the same period last year. Dell extended its lead in the U.S. PC market with its market share reaching 31.4%. Dell's channel program, Partner Direct, launched in December 2007, started yielding dividends, as well as its retail expansion. HP registered its lowest year-on-year growth since the Compaq merger in 2003. Acer is trying to shift its target market from low-end to mid-range systems, and the shift has adversely affected Acer's shipment volume. Gartner's early results indicate that Apple experienced the strongest growth rate among the top 5 vendors in the U.S. market. Apple enjoyed strong retail sales, and there were indications that Apple showed decent growth in the professional market as well.

In Asia/Pacific, PC shipments reached 19.1 million units in the first quarter of 2008, a 19% increase from the same period last year. Latin America PC shipments totaled 6.3 million units, a 19.1% increase from the same period last year. The PC shipments in Japan grew 0.6% in the first quarter of 2008, as shipments reached 4.1 million units. The professional PC market grew 3.2%, while the private market declined 3%. 

 

 

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