Dell regains number one ranking for worldwide PC shipments

Posted on 16 Apr 2004 at 12:43

Dell has regained its laurels as the number one PC maker and put some clear water between it and its nearest rival HP, according to research group IDC.

IDC's figures for the first quarter of this year showed a year on year growth of 16.5 per cent, with 41.2mn PCs shipped. But with the previous quarter influenced by consumer spending over the holiday season, this most recent quarter has been dominated by business spending, pushing Dell 3 per cent ahead of HP with 18.6 per cent share of shipments.

'This quarter's results reveal a robust market and the improving business demand we've been looking for,' said Loren Loverde, director of IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker. 'A number of factors, including an aging installed base, rapid portable adoption, and aggressive pricing, should continue to drive growth into 2005.'

Indeed IBM - in third position with regard to shipments - saw portables flying out of the factories, up 40 per cent.

Dell of course had some impressive highlights: shipments up 50 per cent in Asia/Pacific regions and up 35 per cent in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).

HP marches on though with a growth of 15.8 per cent but slightly behind the rate of the overall market, and IDC suggests the company needs to regain some focus on business sales.

Toshiba fell out of the top five in the quarter, shouldered aside by Acer which while succeeding in expanding across Europe, has plenty of room for growth in the US.

IDC has great hopes for the rejuvenated Gateway and eMachines subsidiary which, while off the top five globally, picked up fourth and fifth places in the US and together would have marched to third.

Regionally, EMEA was the hottest spot for IT spending, with growth topping 20 per cent and aided by a strong Euro and portable demand.

The US sported a 15.7 per cent growth and Japan showing 10 per cent.

Author: Matt Whipp