Credit crunch cuts PC shipments

Quarterly statistics from IDC show a slowing market worldwide

PC makers are shipping fewer machines around the world as the economic downturn takes hold, according to the latest quarterly figures from analyst IDC.

IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker for December collected data on desktop, notebook, ultra-portable and x86 server markets in 55 countries.

Extrapolating from the results, IDC estimated that global PC shipments will grow just 3.8 per cent in 2009 and be worth 5.3 per cent less.

That is down from IDC's second quarter projection of 13.7 per cent growth and a 4.5 per cent decline in value.

Richard Shim, PC research manager at IDC, said: "Consolidation is expected as PC makers tough out the competitive climate amid lower than expected volumes and thinner margins."

Full-year 2008 and 2010 PC market growth predictions have also been lowered a couple of per cent to 12.4 per cent and 10.9 per cent, respectively.

According to IDC, Western Europe felt the credit crunch more slowly than other developed regions and low-cost notebooks are remaining a huge driver.

PC market growth in Western Europe is expected to continue at six per cent next year, albeit down from its 20 per cent growth rate in 2008, IDC said.

"Portable PC adoption, falling prices, and system replacements remain the key drivers," said Loren Loverde, report director.

"Low-cost mini notebooks will help pressure margins and revenues. Consumer and commercial segments will be much more conservative in their purchases over the coming year or two, and while low prices will remain essential, they will not drive volumes as they did during the past few years.”