PC market in Europe, Middle East and Africa grew 19% in 2004

The EMEA PC market remained strong in Q4 2004 providing the finishing touches to the healthy rebound observed during the year. In line with forecasts, PC sales recorded 17.2% growth in Q4 2004 compared with Q4 2003 in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) according to IDC, and leading to a solid 19% for the year with close to 60 mln PCs shipped in the region. The market continued to benefit from a strong euro, portable adoption, and commercial investment. Aggressive pricing also helped fuel growth.

In terms of geographies, most countries across Western Europe posted healthy double-digit results leading to a solid 15% overall while the CEMA region continued to contribute increasingly to overall EMEA growth, with both Central Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) recording over 20% growth year on year. The UK market performed well at 16%, Germany recorded softer results, affected by lower business investment levels but France and Southern European markets-Spain, Italy, Portugal returned to high growth rate levels and Norway and Sweden also enjoyed a major rebound. Growth in CEE and MEA was driven by continued strength in the Russian, Turkish, and South African markets.