IDC Finds PC Sales Lacking in Q3, Despite Growth

Apparently, the performance of the worldwide PC market has stirred mixed feelings among analysts, as IDC found that, while an overall growth was achieved, it failed to actually meet the expectations set previously, especially in the US.

Commercial purchases were the main driving force behind desktop sales, while the consumer front was responsible for the majority of notebook shipments.

Essentially, the overall PC market grew by 11% in the third quarter, instead of around 14% as was previously estimated.

HP, of course, remained in the lead with a share of 17.6%, even though its sales did slow down somewhat, to 15.76 million units instead of the 15.79 million of the previous year.

Acer was second, with a 13% share (11.6 million sales), while Dell took third place, with a 12.4% share.

Lenovo and ASUS ended up on fourth and fifth places, respectively, with 10.3% and 5.3%.

All in all, unit sales reached 86.9 million and the US market seems to have made the biggest 'negative' impact on all figures, having grown by just 3.8% instead of the expected 11%.

"Despite a sluggish start, the quarter ended with a good rally in September which could be a good prelude for what is ahead," said Jay Chou, research analyst with IDC's Worldwide PC Tracker Program.

"Lower PC component costs, budding excitement around new media-centric form factors and continued business buying should still make for a competitive holiday season,” Chou added.

"Apple's influence on the PC market continues to grow, particularly in the U.S., as the company's iPad has had some negative impact on the mininotebook market,” added Bob O'Donnell, IDC vice president for Clients and Displays.

“But, the halo effect of the device also helped propel Mac sales and moved the company into the number three position in the U.S. market," O'Donnel went on to saying.