Global PC Shipments Down 1.4% In 4Q, Just Shy of View -Gartner
2012年1月12日 - 7:17AM
Dow Jones News
Global shipments of personal computers declined 1.4% in the
fourth quarter, slightly more than expected, on soft holiday demand
and continued consumer weakness in Europe, according to industry
researcher Gartner Inc. (IT).
Gartner said shipments of PCs fell to 92.2 million units in the
fourth quarter, falling just shy of its earlier projection of a 1%
year-over-year decline.
The report underlines recent concerns that the economic slowdown
in Europe and elsewhere will weigh on sales. PC makers also
continue to struggle with competition from tablets and a shortage
of hard-disk drives, a key component that became more scarce after
flooding in Thailand caused some manufacturers to suspend
operations.
Gartner's data follows companies such as Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)
and Intel Corp. (INTC) warning of soft fourth-quarter PC demand in
recent weeks
"Continuously low consumer PC demand resulted in weak holiday PC
shipments," Gartner principal analyst Mikako Kitagawa said.
"While economic uncertainty in Western Europe had an effect on
consumer PC shipments, expectations of a healthier economic outlook
in North America could not stimulate consumer PC demand in that
region," Kitagawa said.
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) remained the top PC seller by volume,
but lost share to No. 2 Lenovo Group Ltd. (0992.HK) as its
deliveries plunged 16%. Lenovo saw a 23% increase in shipments.
PC shipments in the U.S. fell 5.9%. "As expected, consumers'
attention was diverted toward other product categories, especially
smartphones and media tablets," Gartner said.
Shipments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa tumbled 9.6%,
the region's fourth-straight quarter of declines, amid "weak
consumer growth" and an "uneasy economic environment," Gartner
said.
The report follows Microsoft executives saying late Tuesday that
the 1% decline previously forecast by industry analysts was likely
too optimistic.
Last month, Intel warned its fourth-quarter revenue would fall
$1 billion short of its prior estimates because of hard-disk drive
shortages hurting its core PC market. Chip makers Texas Instruments
Inc. (TXN) and Altera Corp. (ALTR) have also recent pared
performance expectations, citing weaker demand amid economic
worries.
Results from a similar survey by International Data Corp., which
had forecast a 0.6% decline in PC shipments, also are expected
Wednesday.
-By Matt Jarzemsky, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2240;
matthew.jarzemsky@dowjones.com