DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Worldwide personal computer shipments jumped a
stronger-than-expected 27%, as Gartner Inc. (GT) noted robust
recovery in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The EMEA region grew 25% for the quarter, and all other regions
posted double-digit growth, according to Gartner's preliminary
results, although analyst Mikako Kitagawa said the improvement in
the U.S. and Latin America was slightly lower than expected.
Kitagawa said the results indicate that the professional PC
market is gradually picking up, driven by PC replacements in mature
markets. Demand in the second half of the year and in early 2011
will be driven by Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Windows 7 operating
system, she added.
The researcher said Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) continued to be
the market leader, with 20% growth in shipments, although its
market share slid to 18.2% from 19.3% a year earlier. Gartner said
H-P faces continued pressure from its Asian rivals which are
gaining market share, although it could benefit as the professional
market rebounds.
Acer Inc. (ACEIY, 2353.TW), meanwhile, reported a jump in market
share as its shipments grew 54%. Dell Inc. (DELL), like H-P, saw
its market share fall, to 12.1% from 12.7%, as shipments grew 21%,
according to Gartner.
Gartner estimated shipments totaled 84.3 million units
worldwide, with 17.4 million of that total from the U.S. The U.S.
market, which posted a 20% jump in the first quarter, has
registered two consecutive quarters of double-digit shipment
growth.
Apple Inc. (AAPL), which launched its iPad media tablet earlier
this month, posted a 34% increase in U.S. shipments. The company
was fifth overall in the U.S., with H-P maintaining its top
position.
-By John Kell, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2480;
john.kell@dowjones.com