Despite rising worries over sovereign debt and the pace of economic recovery, the global computer market grew 22.4% in the second quarter of 2010 (2Q10), in-line with forecasted growth of 22.9%, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.
Apple now has 8.8% of the US market, up from 8.6% in the second quarter of 2009, according to IDC. That’s 15.4% year-over-year growth.
Apple is number four among US computer vendors. Ahead of it — and their market shares — are HP (25.7%) and Dell (24%).
On a worldwide basis, desktop computer shipments exceeded expectations, helping to confirm signs that businesses are moving ahead with replacements, while portable sales trailed forecast estimates, reflecting the effects of a thus-far jobless recovery on consumer spending.
“The personal computer market remains robust, and in a recovery phase, despite challenges to a broader economic recovery, such as slow job growth and a more conservative outlook in Europe and Asia/Pacific,” says Jay Chou, research analyst with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker. “The factors which led to the recent rebound – an aging commercial installed base, a proliferation of low-cost media-centric computers, and low computer penetration through much of the world — remain key drivers going forward.”
“The surge in consumer activity seen in the past two quarters has started to slow as expected, while commercial replacements continue to grow,” adds Bob O’Donnell, IDC vice president for Clients and Displays. “We expect consumer activity to remain healthy, but gradually slow through the end of the year, while commercial market growth will be more stable, reflecting a planned replacement cycle over the next several years.”