PC shipments increased by over 10% in the first quarter
of this year, said analyst Gartner, although enterprise demand was
“weak”.
Poorer than expected growth in the US PC market was balanced by
stronger growth in other regions, as worldwide PC shipments
increased 10.3% in the first quarter of 2005, according to
Gartner's figures.
Worldwide PC shipments totalled 50.4 million units in the first
quarter, up from 45.7 million in the same quarter last year.
"The shortfall in the US market was made up for by stronger than
expected growth in the Europe, Middle East and Africa," said
Gartner analyst Charles Smulders. "On a worldwide basis, we judge
corporate demand to have been weaker than expected."
Dell's worldwide growth rate (13.7%) fell below 20% for the
first time in 10 quarters, pulled down by a weaker performance in
the US. Even so, Dell's growth rate remained higher than the
worldwide average, and it extended its lead in the worldwide
rankings.
Both Dell and HP grew at a much faster pace in markets outside
the US.
The top five worldwide PC suppliers, covering desktops, laptops
and servers, in order, are: Dell, HP, IBM, Fujitsu and Acer.