PC Shipments to rise 12.5% in 2008

Strong demand for notebook computers is driving PC unit growth

By Jim Carbone -- Purchasing, 6/18/2008 12:04:00 PM

Global shipments of personal computers will grow 12.5% to 297 million units in 2008, driven by strong demand for notebook PCs, according to researcher Gartner. Analysts revised the growth forecast from 10.9% in March because of stronger-than-expected mobile PC sales.

Worldwide mobile PC shipments are forecast to grow 30.1%. “Mobile PC shipments exceeded our expectations in the first quarter of 2008,” says George Shiffler, research director at Gartner. “Mobile PCs continue to have strong momentum and the global economic environment is proving to be less punishing than we expected.”

Technology and design improvements continue to lower the absolute price of mobile PCs compared to desktops. Desktop unit shipments will grow less than 1%.

Emerging PC markets will remain a key shipment growth segment. Emerging market PC shipments are forecast to grow 17.1% in 2008 compared with 6.3% for mature market shipments.

PC shipments should continue to maintain double-digit growth so long as emerging markets remain strong,” says Shiffler. “Emerging markets appear less imperiled by the economic slowdowns taking place in the United States,” he says.

Also see: First quarter PC shipments rise 12.3%