Global PC Shipments Decline 1.1% YoY in Q1: Gartner

Taipei, May 25, 2011 (CENS)--Global personal computer (PC) shipments totaled 84.3 million units in the first quarter of 2011, a 1.1% decline from the first quarter of 2010, according to preliminary results from Gartner Inc.

Although the first quarter is traditionally a slow season for PC sales, the major research firm said, these shipment results indicated potential sluggishness, not just a normal seasonal slowdown.

Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner., pointed out that weak demand for consumer PCs was the biggest inhibitor of growth; while low prices for consumer PCs, which had long stimulated growth, no longer attracted buyers. Instead, he added, consumers turned their attention to media tablets and other consumer electronics. With the launch of the iPad 2 in February, more consumers either switched to buying an alternative device, or simply held back from buying PCs.

Steady growth in the professional PC sector, driven by the replacement cycle, was a bright spot for the global PC market. Without the professional segment growth, the PC market could have experienced one of the worst declines in its recent history. Replacement sales would generally continue into late 2011 or the start of 2012, with some variations between different regions and market segments, Gartner said.

HP performed below the worldwide average, but maintained the No. 1 position in the first quarter, accounting for 17.6% of worldwide PC shipments. HP was impacted by weak consumer PC demand, as well as growing issues in Asia/Pacific.

Taiwan-based Acer continued to face challenges as the mini-notebook market was impacted by media tablets, and its shipments declined 12.2%.

Worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for Q1'11 (Units)
Company	Q1'11 Shipments	Q1'11 Market Share (%)	Q1'10 Shipments	Q1'10 Market Share (%)	Q1'11-Q1'10 Growth (%)
HP	14,797,299	17.6	15,312,468	18.0	-3.4
Acer Group	10,893,793	12.9	12,412,859	14.6	-12.2
Dell	9,984,370	11.9	10,210,766	12.0	-2.2
Lenovo	8,137,904	9.7	6,976,683	8.2	16.6
Toshiba	4,821,600	5.7	4,580,746	5.4	5.3
Others	35,615,953	42.3	35,686,995	41.9	-0.2
Total	84,250,918	100.0	85,180,518	100.0	-1.1
Note: Data includes desk-based PCs, mobile PCs, including mini-notebooks but not media tablet such as the iPad. Source: Gartner.