Market researcher IDC said in a report that PC market growth slowed during the second quarter compared to the first three months of the year as the World Cup soccer tournament distracted Europeans, leading to a steep slow down in shipment growth on the continent.
Despite slower growth overall, some computer makers thrived, including Apple Computer, the report said. Global PC shipment growth softened to 9.7 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, from a blistering 12.9 percent pace during the first quarter, IDC said.
Gartner, which also released its preliminary second quarter PC shipment figures this week, said global PC shipments rose 11 percent over the same time last year to 54.9 million units. For the first quarter, Gartner reported that shipments grew 13.1 percent.
PC shipment growth in Europe rose just 7 percent in the April through June period, IDC said, compared to a 14 percent increase during the first quarter and an IDC forecast calling for 12 percent growth.
The slower second quarter figure should mean more PC bargains for users. Increased competition among PC makers and sluggish growth in some key markets such as Europe and the U.S., which grew just 6.7 percent year-on-year during the second quarter, should ensure low prices.
Processor competition has already hurt Intel. There were several bright spots for PC vendors during the second quarter. Apple shipments grew by roughly 16 percent thanks to strong portable PC sales at its retail stores.
Taiwanese PC maker Acer also continued to gain PC market share on growth that outpaced all other top vendors. Gateway shined as its growth topped 15 percent for the second quarter, while Dell remained the PC market leader and gained global market share despite facing tough competition.
Mabelle Sese
www.jump2top.com