Worldwide PC Shipments in Q4'09 Post 7-year High Growth: Gartner

Taipei, Jan. 27, 2010 (CENS)--Worldwide personal computer (PC) shipments in the fourth quarter of 2009 increased 22.1% year-on-year (YoY) to 90 million units, according to preliminary results by Gartner Inc.

The leading information technology (IT) research and advisory company pointed out that it was the strongest YoY growth rate that the worldwide PC market has experienced in the last seven years.

Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner pointed out that these preliminary results indicate the recovery of the PC market on a global level. "The U.S. and Asia/Pacific had already shown positive indicators last quarter, however the fourth quarter 2009 results were more concrete evidence of the recovery," he added. "The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region entered the economic downturn later than the U.S. and Asia/Pacific, so it has been slower to recover."

HP maintained the top position in worldwide PC shipments in the fourth quarter of 2009, as it grew slightly higher than the industry average. Gartner analysts said HP did very well in the U.S. market, and it regained the No. 1 position in the U.S. and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region from last quarter.

Acer established itself as a leader of the sub-US$500 consumer mobile PC segment in key regions. Acer's improved branding strategies also helped it to work better with channel partners. Dell grew below the worldwide average in the fourth quarter. The company did not fully benefit from strong holiday sales. Dell was not as aggressive on pricing as its competitors in order to protect profits.

For the full 2009, worldwide PC shipments totaled 306 million units, a 5.2% increase from 2008. PC shipment growth was driven by the consumer mobile PC market with acceleration of average selling prices (ASPs). HP defended its top position, while Dell was replaced by Acer as the No. 2 vendor based on shipments. HP, Acer and Toshiba all benefited from strong consumer demand, Gartner said.

Preliminary Worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for Q4' 09 (Thousands of Units)*
Company	Q4 ‘09 Shipments	Q4 ‘09 Market Share (%)	Q4 ‘08 Shipments	Q4 ‘08 Market Share (%)	Q4 ‘09-Q4 ‘08 Growth (%)
HP	17,792.2	19.8	14,239.9	19.3	24.9
Acer	12,188.2	13.5	8,612.7	11.7	41.5
Dell Inc.	10,397.1	11.5	9,839.3	13.3	5.7
Lenovo	7,836.5	8.7	5,509.3	7.5	42.2
Toshiba	4,811.9	5.3	3,668.1	5.0	31.2
Others	37,008.5	41.1	31,855.4	43.2	16.2
Total	90,034.5	100.0	73,724.7	100.0	22.1
*: Data includes desk-based PCs, mobile PCs and X86 servers. Source: Gartner (January 2010)