PC sales up while Macs flatline

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 16 Dec 2008 at 08:03

Apple witnessed flat year-on-year overall sales in the US for its Macs in November, while sales of rival Windows PCs were up 7%, according to research firm NPD Group.

Sales of desktop PCs were down 20% overall, with Windows desktops sales falling 15% and Macs down 38%.

Apple's notebook sales, however, were up 22% in November, while Windows sales rose 15%.

"For notebooks, there is a little extra value to consumers [to buy Apple]," says NPD analyst Stephen Barker. "For desktops I'm not so sure. To me the real story is the iMacs need a refresh."

IDC, which tracks sales of technology products, said earlier this month that it expects global PC sales to fall 5.3% next year to $267 billion (£174.7 billion).

Apple and Microsoft could not be immediately reached for comment.