Desktop Sales Rise But Laptops Continue to Drive Market Growth

Wed, 27 Jan 2010

New figures from market analysts IDC have revealed an unexpected rise in desktop PC sales. The improved desktop sales helped drive a 15.2 per cent increase in global PC shipments in the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared with the same quarter in 2008. IDC research manager David Daoud said there were a number of reasons for the increase, while IDC suggested the increase may signify that the PC industry has emerged from the economic downturn.

There were a total of 85.8 million units shipped during the fourth quarter of 2009, and while desktops were more popular, most of the shipments derived from laptop and netbook sales. Low cost notebooks were particularly popular once again, with IDC forecasting portable PC shipments will reach 126.2 million in 2009. The launch of Microsoft Windows 7 was said to be a significant factor in the growth, which was common across the world.

While the figures represent good news for computer manufacturers and retailers, the demand for low-cost laptops has eroded the profit margins of PC makers. Hewlett Packard retained the largest market share, with a 23.3 per cent increase in shipments giving them a 21 per cent market share with their 18 million sales.

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