PC shipments to rise to 302 million

WORLDWIDE PC shipments are set to grow by 12.8 percent in 2008 to reach 302 million units, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker. Growth will continue at above 11 percent in 2009 followed by high single-digit growth through 2012, boosting annual shipments to over 426 million in 2012.

Overall volume growth, combined with a steady transition to Portable PCs, which generally cost more than Desktops, will help offset falling average prices. The total value of PC shipments is projected to grow by 7.4 percent in 2008 to nearly $280 billion. Shipment value will continue to grow by roughly 4 percent annually from 2009 through 2012, reaching nearly $330 billion by 2012.

"The deteriorating economic environment can certainly put a damper on PC growth," says Loren Loverde, director of IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.

"However, fourth quarter growth was the fastest since mid 2005 and we should see continued portable adoption and PC acquisition by both Commercial and Consumer segments. Replacements in mature regions supported by ongoing rapid growth in new users in emerging regions will add to pervasive technology evolution and falling prices to sustain growth."

"Lower cost consumer notebooks continue to drive PC market growth in all regions around the world," adds Bob O'Donnell, IDC vice president for Clients and Displays. "Consumers are increasingly seeing notebooks as essential personal communication and information gathering tools and we expect that will continue to drive growth and higher PC penetration ratios for several years to come." µ

L'Inq
IDC