The number of PC deliveries in the UK in the second quarter of 2008 represents the highest level of growth since 1999 because of a dramatic fall in selling prices, according to research by analyst Gartner.

Shipments in the region rose 27.4 per cent – the equivalent of 2.8 million units – compared with the same period in 2007.

“While the PC market is not immune to economic forces, sharp declines in average selling prices have certainly fostered the growth. Steeper-than-expected price cuts could hit PC makers' profit margins and prolonged price pressure will force further consolidation among vendors,” said Ranjit Atwal, principal analyst at Gartner.

The increase was backed by strong mobile PC sales, which represented 64 per cent of total PC deliveries, says the Gartner report. Dell and HP ranked first and second in sales performance with a combined market presence of about 45 per cent, followed by Acer, Packard Bell, Apple and Asus.

“The PC market in the UK again performed above expectations as the consumer market continued to boom. The introduction of the mini notebook PC has created some excitement, and we expect that sales in this segment will help the market sustain growth for the rest of the year,” said Atwal.