Global shipments of personal computers fell 1.1% in the first
quarter, industry researcher Gartner Inc. (IT) said, reflecting a
seasonally weak period as well as greater consumer attention on
tablets and other products.
According to preliminary results, total shipments of 84.3
million units indicate "potential sluggishness, not just a normal
seasonal slowdown," as they fall well below Gartner's forecast for
3% growth, the firm said.
Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner, said weak
consumer demand was the biggest hurdle. Kitagawa added that low
prices for consumer PCs were no longer attracting buyers as they
turn their attention to media tablets and other devices.
However, growth was steady for professional PCs, driven by a
replacement cycle.
"Without the professional segment of growth, the PC market could
have experienced one of the worst declines in its recent history,"
Gartner said.
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) held onto its No. 1 spot by volume,
though both it and No. 2 Acer Inc. (2353.TW) lost market share as
they posted volume declines of 3.4% and 12%, respectively. Dell
Inc. (DELL), which came in third, had its first shipment decline in
six quarters.
-By Joan E. Solsman, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2291;
joan.solsman@dowjones.com