The number ofPCs sold in Western Europerose by 9%
in the second half of this year, according to a Gartner Group
study, with 11.2 million units big sold.
In the second quarter of 2007, sales
increased by 9.3% on the same period in 2006. The demand for
mobile PCs remained the major driver of sales, and this trend
confirmed the changing status of the consumer mobile PC from a
"nice-to-have" device to a "must-have device", said the study.
In the UK, the subsidising of PC purchases has particularly
fuelled growth, in both PC sales and the junking of existing and
workable computers.
PC shipments in the UK totalled 2.1 million units in the second
quarter of 2007, an increase of 8% compared with the same period in
2006. The growth continued to be driven by mobile PCs and
consumer-PC purchases.
Dell's sales have declined by 7% year-on-year, while the other
four leading suppliers grew above the market average. Acer had the
strongest year-on-year growth thanks to the expansion of its
channel distribution in retail and its partnership with Dixons.
"The leading suppliers undertook an aggressive price war,
marketing some mobile PCs at the value of £299," said Ranjit Atwal,
principal analyst for Gartner, based in the UK.
There is still potential for more growth, however. "Attractive
broadband deals and the declining price of PCs are increasing the
number of households that own a PC in the UK," Atwal added.
The new subsidised PC selling strategies, such as free notebook
PCs given away by broadband providers, will drive sales. And there
are many more, he added.
"
Dixons is working with various PC suppliers, while Orange and
Carphone Warehouse are in partnership with Dell and AOL. It will
all boost PC penetration in the UK market," Atwal concluded.