PC market in 2004: 177.5 mln PCs sold, 13.7% growth

The worldwide PC market remained strong in Q4 2004 with growth of 13.7% driven by the small and medium business segments and holiday consumer demand, according to IDC. Total shipments rose to 51.5 mln units for Q4 2004, marking the seventh consecutive Q of double-digit growth in worldwide PC shipments and beating projections of 13% growth. Shipments for all of 2004 reached 177.5 mln units on growth of 14.7%, representing peak recovery following the market contraction of 2001, and essentially meeting IDC's forecast of 14.5%. Total shipments in 2004 were more than 26% over 2000 volumes, and IDC expects growth of roughly 10% in 2005 before shipment growth slows to single digits.