Mobile PC shipments to outpace desktop PCs
Staff -- Purchasing, 6/16/2005 6:00:00 AM
Worldwide PC shipments will increase 10.2% to 202.1 million units in 2005, according to an updated forecast by researcher Gartner. The firm had previously projected worldwide PC shipments would increase 9.9%.
But worldwide mobile PC shipments will grow 26.5% in 2005, while desktop units are now forecast to grow 4.6%. Mobile PCs currently make up just under 30% of all PC shipments.
"Mobile PCs are continuing to attract more new users as mobile prices fall and wireless becomes more pervasive," says George Shiffler, principal analyst for Gartner's Client Platforms research. "Growing numbers of users are replacing their old desktops with more portable mobiles and this is one of several factors helping to boost mobile PC growth."
Gartner analysts said they see few new technology drivers that could help stimulate PC sales in 2005.
Replacement activity has helped drive double-digit PC growth over the last two years, but Gartner analysts said replacement activity will begin to wane this year.
"Professional replacement activity is in the process of peaking and will fade rapidly over the rest of the year," says Shiffler. Meanwhile, replacement of home computers is expected to peak early next year and fade more gradually over 2006.
"This one-two punch will push market growth back into single-digits by next year despite stronger mobile PC growth," says Shiffler.
Strong shipments of computers is important to the electronics industry because it is the largest consumer of semiconductors and other components.
Meanwhile, shipments of cell phones, another major driver in the electronics industry, increased 17% to a record 180.6 million units. The previous high for mobile phone sales was 153.7 million units in the first quarter of 2004. Gartner analysts said mobile phone sales grew in all regions.
"In the mature markets of Western Europe and North America, replacement sales ensured a buoyant performance," says Ben Wood, research vice president for mobile terminals research at Gartner. "The Asia/Pacific region reflected seasonal trends by virtue of strong sales associated with Chinese New Year." In addition, rapid growth in emerging markets, notably Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa and Latin America, further bolstered global sales, he says.
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