PC market shows signs of continuing growth

Analyst predicts that shipments will increase and that there will continue to be growth in all regions

The PC market is looking healthy and estimates for overall growth are on the up, according to the latest figures from market watcher IDC.

Following a positive fourth quarter 2004, IDC claimed Q1 2005 was strong, leading it to boost its forecast for 2005 and 2006. PC shipments are expected to hit 199.2 million in 2005 on growth of 11.4 per cent, followed by shipments of 217 million on nine per cent growth in 2006.

The market in western Europe continues to grow in the mid-to-low ‘teens’ while emerging markets in central and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America continue to grow by more than 20 per cent per year. Only the US remained sluggish.

“Persistent double-digit growth and a fairly gradual slowdown have raised our short-term outlook,” said Loren Loverde, director of IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.

“For several quarters now the market has responded to aggressive pricing and marketing, creating opportunities for growth and maintaining market momentum. Overall growth is likely to fall to single digits, but we continue to expect steady gains.”

Western Europe is being helped by strong consumer demand, and this is expected to continue throughout the year. Aggressive pricing and adoption of broadband and digital entertainment are boosting that demand.

John Turner, business manager at distributor Midwich, said: “Q1 was very good on the notebook front and we had record sales. There has been fierce price competition throughout and now there are so many bargains to be had.”