PC Market Grows in Q3 2009, IDC Predicts Double-Digit Gains in 2010

Not all is bad news, according to a recent report from research firm IDC, which states that the worldwide PC shipments returned to positive growth in the third quarter of 2009 (Q309). As expected, portable PCs continue to drive the worldwide PC market, being the main driver of the industry, with shipments increasing 33.5% year-on-year. The newly reported numbers led IDC to forecast a faster growth in 2010, with double-digit gains expected through 2013.

“Vendors are competing aggressively to capture back-to-school and holiday demand,” said Jay Chou, research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker. “Beyond stabilizing their business, PC vendors are trying to position themselves for gains as the market recovers. We’re seeing aggressive promotions and expect innovations leveraging new technologies, including ultra-thin designs, touchscreens, and LED panels. The technology changes and efforts to stand out in an increasingly commoditized market will lead to further product and customer segmentation and add to the advantage of market leaders in covering the breadth of products, technologies, and market segments.”

According to the numbers presented by IDC, the worldwide PC market grew 2.3% in the third quarter of this year, thanks to a strong back-to-school demand. While portable systems were up, the consumer desktop demand remained weak, further confirming the market's transition to portability. Mini Notebooks also continued to see growth with a 37% gain over the previous quarter, while also increasing its share of the consumer portable segment from 14% a year ago, to 28%.

“Once again, the PC market shows its resiliency,” said Loren Loverde, program director IDC Worldwide Trackers. “The speed of market stabilization and growth in key segments reflect the essential role of personal computing today. Technology evolution and falling prices remain a compelling combination. As commercial spending recovers in 2010, we expect to see robust growth over the next several years.”