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Gartner Says Worldwide PC Market Experiences Better Than Expected Growth As Shipments Increase 15 Percent in Second Quarter of 2005

Posted on: Monday, 18 July 2005, 18:00 CDT

Worldwide PC shipments totaled 48.9 million units in the second quarter of 2005, a 14.8 percent increase from the same period last year, according to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc. The PC market exceeded Gartner's previous projections by 2 percentage points.

"Demand for mobile form factors accelerated sales during the second quarter," said Charles Smulders, vice president of Gartner's Computing Platforms Worldwide Group. "Aggressive price cutting was also a significant factor in driving demand for desktop PCs."

Dell extended its lead in the worldwide market, accounting for 17.9 percent of global PC shipments (see Table 1). Dell experienced much higher growth rates outside of the United States, but it also grew ahead of the market rate in its domestic market, where the bulk of its shipments are made.

Hewlett-Packard's PC shipments growth rate exceeded the worldwide average, as the company performed well in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia/Pacific regions. The quarter was a transitional time for the company, as Mark Hurd was appointed the new CEO in April, and The Personal System Group (PSG) was split from the Imaging and Printing Group after one quarter. In June, Tom Bradley was appointed as the new head of PSG.

Table 1 Preliminary Worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 2Q05 (Thousands of Units) 2Q05 2Q05 2Q04 2Q04 2Q05-2Q04 Company Shipments Market Shipments Market Growth (%) Share (%) Share (%) --------------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------- ----------- Dell Inc. 8,756 17.9 7,083 16.6 23.6 Hewlett-Packard 7,123 14.6 6,115 14.3 16.5 Lenovo 3,529 7.2 3,179 7.5 11.0 Acer 2,116 4.3 1,262 3.0 67.6 Fujitsu/Fujitsu Siemens 1,737 3.6 1,517 3.6 14.5 Others 25,660 52.5 23,472 55.1 9.3 Total 48,920 100.0 42,628 100.0 14.8 --------------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------- ----------- Note: Data includes desk-based PCs, mobile PCs and X86-32 servers. Source: Gartner Dataquest (July 2005)

"While shipment picture was better than Gartner expected, it was another quarter of intense price competition for the PC vendors," Mr. Smulders said. "Even so, we expect the operating environment to get yet more difficult in the second half of 2005 as PC replacement opportunities decline."

PC shipments in the United States totaled 15.6 million units, a 10 percent increase from the second quarter of 2004. The U.S. consumer segment did well with robust mobile PC sales.

Dell did well in the consumer and small and midsize business segments, as its U.S. PC market share reached 32 percent in the second quarter of 2005 (see Table 2). Apple experienced the highest growth rate among the top 5 vendors, as its shipments increased 31.4 percent in the quarter. Apple was led by its strength in the education market. Gateway increased shipments 26.6 percent, driven by sales through retail.

Table 2 Preliminary U.S. PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 2Q05 (Thousands of Units) Company 2Q05 2Q05 2Q04 2Q04 2Q05-2Q04 Shipments Market Shipments Market Growth Share (%) Share (%) (%) --------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Dell Inc. 4,988 32.0 4,295 30.3 16.1 Hewlett-Packard 2,711 17.4 2,547 18.0 6.4 Gateway 890 5.7 703 5.0 26.6 Apple Computer 663 4.3 505 3.6 31.4 Lenovo 607 3.9 668 4.7 -9.1 Others 5,708 36.7 5,439 38.4 4.9 Total 15,567 100.0 14,157 100.0 10.0 --------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- Note: Data includes desk-based PCs, mobile PCs and X86-32 servers. Source: Gartner Dataquest (January 2005)

In the EMEA region, PC shipments increased 18.6 percent in the second quarter. Aggressive PC pricing by vendors has resulted in strong shipment growth.

In the Asia/Pacific region, shipments increased 17.3 percent in the second quarter. Mobile PC growth was very strong in the region, but China and India also attributed solid growth of desk-based PC shipments. In China, the market has been stimulated by the bundling of 17 inch LCD monitors.

Latin America showed the strongest growth in the quarter, as PC shipments increased 25.4 percent. In general, the market continues to enjoy strong macroeconomic performances.

These results are preliminary. Final statistics will be available soon to clients of Gartner's PC Quarterly Statistics Worldwide by Region program. This program offers a comprehensive and timely picture of the worldwide PC market, allowing product planning, distribution, marketing and sales organizations to keep abreast of key issues and their future implications around the globe. To subscribe to this program, please call 408-468-8000. Additional research can be found on Gartner's Client Platforms Focus Area on Gartner's Web site at http://www.gartner.com/research/focus_areas/asset_57051_815.jsp.

About Gartner

Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) is the leading provider of research and analysis on the global information technology industry. Gartner serves more than 10,000 clients, including chief information officers and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company focuses on delivering objective, in-depth analysis and actionable advice to enable clients to make more informed business and technology decisions. The Company's businesses consist of Research and Events for IT professionals; Gartner Executive Programs, membership programs and peer networking services; and Gartner Consulting, customized engagements with a specific emphasis on outsourcing and IT management. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has over 3,900 associates, including more than 1,100 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.

Source: Business Wire

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