Hewlett-Packard Co. outdistanced Dell Inc. as the world's largest maker of PCs as computer shipments increased this summer at the fastest rate in nearly two years, two technology research firms reported Wednesday.
Sales of portable computers drove much of the 15.5 percent increase in global PC shipments from July through September, especially in Europe, according to research firm IDC, based in Framingham, Mass. Gartner Inc. in Stamford, Conn., pegged the growth at 14.4 percent.
"The appeal of portable PCs in all regions continues to propel the PC market at a remarkable pace and sets the stage for a very strong fourth quarter," said Loren Loverde, director of IDC's worldwide quarterly PC tracker.
IDC reported 66.9 million PCs shipped, up from 57.9 million a year ago, while Gartner said 68.5 million PCs were shipped in the third quarter, up from 59.8 million in the same period a year ago. The two research firms use slightly different measurement methods.
The percentage gains both firms reported were the largest for any quarter since the fourth quarter of 2005, when IDC recorded a 15.5 percent increase and Gartner came, 15.8 percent. That came on top of a 17.4 percent rise in the third quarter of 2005.
Based on the latest quarter's performance, IDC likely will slightly increase a fourth-quarter forecast from the 13.5 percent growth rate it offered early last month, Loverde said.
Gartner said gains for mobile PCs once again outpaced overall computer shipments in the United States. But both the home and professional markets in America posted weaker-than-expected growth — apparently because of lower consumer confidence and the housing market slump, Gartner said.
United States PC shipment growth came was 4.7 percent in the latest quarter, according to Gartner, compared with 23 percent in the Asia-Pacific region and 16 percent in a market that includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Source:Xinhua/agencies
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