According to Gartner's latest study, global PC shipments totaled 67.2 million units in the first quarter of 2009, a 6.5 percent decline versus first quarter 2008.
There are some evidence of channel inventory restocking, particularly in the US, but it should not be interpreted as a recovery in PC end-user demand, George Shiffler, research director, Gartner, said, adding, "It's still unclear if the global PC market has hit the bottom."
Hewlett-Packard extended its lead in the worldwide PC market, accounting for 19.8 percent of global shipments in first quarter 2009. HP registered higher growth rates than the regional averages in the US, Asia/Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). HP's strength derived from its solid consumer PC portfolio, including low-priced mobile PCs.
Dell and Acer finished the quarter in a virtual tie for the No. 2 position. "Low-priced mobile PCs continued to be the growth driver for the PC industry in most regions. However, we anticipate a sharp decline in industry revenues due to the lower average selling prices (ASPs) of these devices," said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst, Gartner.
PC shipments in Asia/Pacific registered 18.2 million units in the first quarter of 2009, a 5.5 percent decline from the first quarter of 2008. The professional segment was strongly affected by the unfolding economic slowdown in the region. The home market was less affected because vendors were aggressive in stimulating demand by adjusting prices downward, bundling promotions, and conducting roadshows targeting the market.
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