Gartner cautious on PC shipments

Michael Carroll | September 01, 2010

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Gartner has cut its forecast for global PC shipments during 2H10 by around 2%, due to concerns about a double-dip recession in developed markets.

The research firm still expects sales to grow 15.3% during the period, but predicts 2H shipments will slow as consumer demand dips in the US and Western Europe

Full year shipments will grow 19.2% to 367.8 million units after a strong 1H10, research director Ranjit Atwal said.

“The PC market revived in the first half of 2010, but the real test of its resilience is yet to come.

“There is no doubt that consumer, if not business PC demand has slowed relative to expectations in mature markets,” Atwal explained.

Gartner is reacting to economic uncertainty surrounding the US economy, which caused markets around the globe to plummet on Monday, The Guardian reported.

PC manufacturers are already heeding Gartner’s words, with a growing number diversifying through acquisition to reduce their reliance on the desktop market following a slump in sales in 2009.

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Michael Carroll