Global shipments of personal computers declined in the fourth quarter as demand remained weak in the U.S. and Europe and a continued shortage of hard-disk drives hobbled manufacturers.

Industry researcher Gartner Inc. (IT) said shipments of PCs dropped 1.4% to 92.2 million units in the fourth quarter, wider than its earlier projection of a 1% year-over-year decline. Another analyst group, International Data Corp., said the decline was 0.2% to 92.7 million, slightly better than its prediction for a 0.6% drop.

Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) remained the top vendor by volume but ceded market share to Lenovo Group Ltd. (0992.HK), which cemented its status as the second-largest PC maker, according to both firms' tallies. H-P shipments were hurt by confusion over its plans for the PC business, which it ultimately decided to keep, while Lenovo expanded its reach outside of China, where it dominates.

"We are winning the market not just because of the low price," said Yang Yuanqing, chief executive of Lenovo, said in an interview during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. "We have fantastic products."

The reports from Gartner and IDC underline 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.

The data follow warnings from companies like Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Intel Corp. (INTC) of soft fourth-quarter PC demand in recent weeks

"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," Gartner principal analyst Mikako Kitagawa said.

Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) saw shipments plunge about 16% in the fourth quarter, according to both data trackers; meanwhile, Lenovo's shipments rose 23% according to Gartner and 37% by IDC. Lenovo was helped by aggressive pricing for business customers and consumers, IDC said.

Yang said the Chinese PC giant's innovative streak in design, such as its tablets that can also function as laptops and desktops that can transition into touch-based slates, has struck a chord with consumers who have come to expect new ideas from technology companies.

According to both data trackers, H-P has roughly 16% market share, with Lenovo at 14%. Rounding out the top five in global deliveries were Dell Inc. (DELL), Acer Inc. (2353.TW) and Asustek Computer Inc. (2357.TW).

PC shipments in the U.S. fell. IDC pegged the country's full-year shipment decline at 5%, which it said was the second-worst tumble in the country's history.

"In the United States, market saturation and the economic environment continue to weigh considerably on consumer demand," said David Daoud, research director for personal computing at IDC. Newer product categories such as tablets and smartphones drew consumers away from PC purchases, according to the analysts.

One PC maker that seemed to be unaffected by the U.S. slowdown was Apple, which was the only vendor in the country's top five to register year-over-year growth. Apple's PC deliveries in the U.S. rose 20% by Gartner's tally and 18% according to IDC.

Shipments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa fell for the fourth-straight quarter as economic concerns highlighted by the Euro-zone debt crisis weighed on spending.

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.

-By Matt Jarzemsky, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2240; matthew.jarzemsky@dowjones.com

--Ian Sherr contributed to this story