IDC predicts healthy world PC market

Worldwide PC sales for the final quarter of this year will be up almost 20 per cent on the same period last year, according to the latest research from IDC.

The report estimates 40.15 million units will be shipped globally, boosted by increased demand in the portable market, which saw an overall growth of 33 per cent last year US sales will continue the downward trend by as much as 30 per cent, but this will be offset by purchases in other global regions. Western European sales have been hampered by a slower-than-expected uptake in the corporate sector. IDC predicts the US market will remain depressed for two or three more quarters, before an upturn in demand as Windows 2000 upgrades and old machines from the 1997 to 1998 boom cycle need replacing.