IDC: Global PC market up 18 percent
On Monday, International Data Corp released preliminary PC market share results for the third quarter of this year. The results, the Framingham, Mass.-based market-research firm says, show strong growth in consumer PCs. However, there are at least two areas of concern: the North American corporate market and Europe in all markets.
Consumer demand, portables, and the Asian economic recovery have driven third quarter sales volumes, which were up just over 18 percent versus the same quarter a year ago, according to IDC. The firm says 33.3 million units were sold, just under its earlier prediction of 33.4 million units.
IDC's two areas of concern were Europe as a whole, where PC sales grew slower than the overall market, and North America, where corporate PC sales are down.
European currency exchange rates and general economic jitters have lead to lower demand for new PCs. Meanwhile, corporations in the U.S. are in a buying lull, following a frenzy of Year 2000-related PC purchases, IDC said.
"I think they went though a pretty intense upgrade cycle around (preparations for) 2000," noted Stephen.
However, upgrades to
All three vendors experienced some of the European sluggishness, growing at rates lower than the market as a whole, Stephen said.
Dell basically held steady, while HP overtook
When looking at the North American market only, Dell remained on top, with a 20 percent share. However, Compaq, with 16.5 percent, and HP, with 11 percent, gained ground on the Round Rock, Texas, PC maker. In North America, HP grew by nearly 47 percent from last year.
Meanwhile, IBM and