PC Shipments Boosted In 4Q By Strength In U.S. -- Update

   By Josh Beckerman 
 

Personal computer sales fared better in the U.S. than other markets in the fourth quarter, and Lenovo Group Ltd. kept the top spot in world-wide shipments, according to a pair of data trackers.

Overall, in 2014, shipments of personal computers declined again, but the market seems to be steadying, thanks to strength in mature markets, according to Gartner Inc. and International Data Corp.

"The PC market is quietly stabilizing," said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner.

For the fourth quarter, Gartner said world-wide shipments totaled 83.7 million units, up 1% from a year earlier, with the U.S. seeing the fastest growth in the past four years. Results were driven by strength in notebooks, including thin and light notebooks and "two-in-one" products with detachable or bendable screens, Gartner said.

"These results supports our assumption that consumer spending is returning to the PC as tablet penetration has reached the majority of the market," Gartner said.

IDC, meanwhile, said world-wide PC shipments totaled 80.8 million, representing a 2.4% decline from the 2013 quarter. IDC said commercial demand, which fueled growth earlier in 2014, has slowed, while consumer demand is gradually returning.

"Nevertheless, some of the gains are relatively small," IDC said, "and weakening drivers ... cast a shadow of doubt on the strength of the market going into 2015."

IDC said the U.S. and Europe "remained stronger than other markets," but "growth in these mature regions slowed from earlier in the year."

Gartner said the U.S. posted the highest growth in the quarter, with a 13.1% year-over-year increase, and said emerging markets "remain weak."

Lenovo maintained the top spot, according to both firms, but Hewlett-Packard Co. cut into the lead in the fourth quarter.

"H-P has expressed its commitment to the device market, and it has started to show a positive result with strong growth in the U.S.," Gartner said. H-P remained the PC leader in the U.S., according to both firms.

Dell and Acer Inc. were third and fourth, respectively, according to the data trackers. Rounding out the top five was Asustek Computer Inc. for Gartner and Apple Inc. for IDC.

Apple's "steady growth, along with recent price cuts and improved demand in mature markets, has helped it to consistently outgrow the market," IDC said.

For 2014, IDC said total PC shipments fell 2.1%, while Gartner saw a 0.2% decrease. In comparison, though, both firms said shipments fell 10% in 2013.

Write to Josh Beckerman at [e-mail]

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