Gartner Says Worldwide PC Shipments Return To Double-Digit Growth for First Time In Nearly Three Years
STAMFORD, Conn., July 18, 2003 — Driven in part by highly competitive pricing, worldwide PC shipments totaled 32.8 million units in the second quarter of 2003, a 10 percent increase from the same period last year, according to preliminary results from Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB). The worldwide PC market has not experienced double-digit shipment growth since the third quarter of 2000.
"The PC industry performed better than expected, which suggests that market conditions are improving," said Charles Smulders, vice president of Gartner's Computing Platforms Worldwide group. "However, sustained improvement will depend on economic conditions and their effect on the business upgrade cycle. Recent Gartner IT Watch survey data confirms U.S. corporate budgets remain tight."
Dell, the No. 1 vendor based on unit shipments, experienced the strongest growth rate among the top-tier vendors as its worldwide shipments increased 29.5 percent (see Table 1). Three of the other top-tier vendors — Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Fujitsu — achieved growth rates that surpassed the industry average. Gartner analysts noted that IBM's shipment increase is a good indicator that the business segment may be improving.
Table 1
Preliminary Worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 2Q03 (Thousands of Units)
|
Company |
2Q03 Shipments | 2Q03 Market Share (%) | 2Q02 Shipments | 2Q02 Market Share (%) | Growth (%) |
| Dell | 5,770.7 | 17.6 | 4,457.8 | 14.9 | 29.5 |
| Hewlett-Packard | 5,290.8 | 16.1 | 4717.9 | 15.8 | 12.1 |
| IBM | 2,185.4 | 6.7 | 1,926.9 | 6.5 | 13.4 |
| Fujitsu | 1,303.4 | 4.0 | 1,176.4 | 3.9 | 10.8 |
| NEC | 1,006.3 | 3.1 | 1,034.1 | 3.5 | -2.7 |
| Others | 17,263.4 | 52.6 | 16,516.9 | 55.4 | 4.5 |
| Total | 32,820.1 | 100.0 | 29,830.0 | 100.0 | 10.0 |
Note: Data includes deskbased PCs, mobile PCs and IA32 servers.
HP and Compaq are reported as one company, as are Fujitsu and Fujitsu Siemens.
Source: Gartner Dataquest (July 2003)
U.S. PC shipments in the second quarter of 2003 increased 11.1 percent (see Table 2), as the market received a boost from the consumer and education segments.
"In the home market, competitive pricing and mobile PCs were important drivers," Smulders said. "Mobile PCs continued to be the hot item in the retail space."
Dell increased its lead as the No. 1 vendor of PC shipments in the United States in the second quarter. With 31.1 percent market share, Dell nearly surpassed the other top four vendors' combined unit shipment share of 32.8 percent. HP experienced strong home market sales, which helped contribute to its 14.1 percent growth rate for the quarter.
Table 2
Preliminary U.S. PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 2Q03 (Thousands of Units)
| Company | 2Q03 Shipments | 2Q03 Market Share (%) | 2Q02 Shipments | 2Q02 Market Share (%) | Growth (%) |
| Dell | 3,688.7 | 31.1 | 2,924.8 | 27.4 | 26.1 |
| Hewlett-Packard | 2,256.8 | 19.0 | 1,977.6 | 18.5 | 14.1 |
| IBM | 688.0 | 5.8 | 661.7 | 6.2 | 4.0 |
| Gateway | 493.0 | 4.2 | 651.0 | 6.1 | -24.3 |
| Apple | 447.0 | 3.8 | 455.0 | 4.3 | -1.8 |
| Others | 4,273.9 | 36.1 | 3,994.0 | 37.5 | 7.0 |
| Total | 11,847.4 | 100.0 | 10,664.1 | 100.0 | 11.1 |
Source: Gartner Dataquest (July 2003)
On a global basis, Gartner analysts said all regions showed positive growth compared with a year ago. EMEA and Latin America exceeded growth expectations, with EMEA's increase attributed to stronger business growth. Asia/Pacific fell below expectations, primarily because of the effects of SARS on business activity in China.
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 Hardware and Systems Focus Area on Gartner's Web site at www.gartner.com/1_researchanalysis/focus/hwmkt_fa.html.
Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,000 clients leverage technology to achieve business success. Gartner's businesses are Research, Consulting, Measurement, Events and Executive Programs. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., and has more than 3,800 associates, including approximately 1,000 research analysts and consultants, in more than 75 locations worldwide. Revenue for calendar year 2002 totaled $888 million. For more information, visit www.gartner.com.
| Contact: Christy Pettey Gartner +1 408 468 8312 christy.pettey@gartner.com |