By Josh Beckerman
Computer shipments declined in the first quarter, as the
year-ago numbers were boosted by Microsoft Corp. ending support for
an older operating system, according to a pair of data
trackers.
Gartner Inc. said world-wide PC shipments totaled 71.7 million
units, down 5.2% from a year earlier. The firm said the
double-digit percentage decline in desktop sales were partly offset
by a pickup in sales of notebooks, hybrids and Windows tablets.
The Windows XP replacement cycle that helped 2014 results "faded
in the first quarter," but "this decline is not necessarily a sign
of sluggish overall PC sales long term," Gartner said.
Meanwhile, International Data Corp. said world-wide shipments
totaled 68.5 million units, down 6.7%. The results exceeded its
"cautious" forecast, IDC said, but the market "remains heavily
dependent on pricing being a major driver." The firm added that
demand for higher-priced systems remains "tenuous."
IDC said U.S. desktop shipments were "sluggish," but portables
including ultraslim and convertible computers saw growth.
Lenovo Group Ltd. kept the top spot in world-wide shipments,
while Hewlett-Packard Co--in second place globally--extended its
U.S. lead, according to Gartner and IDC. Dell Inc. remained in
third place world-wide.
Asustek Computer Inc. edged ahead of Acer Inc. for the fourth
position on Gartner's list. Acer kept the fourth spot on IDC's
list, with Asustek surpassing Apple Inc. for fifth place.
Apple finished third in the U.S. on Gartner's list and fourth on
IDC's U.S. list.
Gartner's figures include premium ultramobiles, but not
Chromebooks, Windows tablets with a smaller than 10-inch display or
non-Windows tablets. IDC counts Chromebooks and excludes
tablets.
Gartner said the overall results "support our projection of a
moderate decline of PC shipments in 2015, which will lead to a
slow, consistent growth stage for the next five years."
Write to Josh Beckerman at josh.beckerman@wsj.com
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