The personal computer market is mounting a strong comeback this year, according to the latest data (http://macte.ch/EIjAf) from The Bedford Report (http://www.bedfordreport.com).
While high unemployment has harmed consumer spending in North America, demand for computers in emerging markets is growing at a rapid rate. In India for example, desktops reported 14% increase year-on-year, while the sales of notebook computers grew at 49% in the fourth quarter.
The Bedford Report says Apple leads the mobile computer market at the moment with 10.2 million units shipped, giving it a 17.2% market share. The company is also gaining market share in Mac unit sales. In the company’s fourth quarter Apple sold more than four million Macs.
Also “shares of Apple have recovered nicely after being smashed following the news of CEO Steve Jobs’ leave of absence,” says The Beford Report. “Steve Jobs is an industry legend. His brush with liver disease in 2008-2009, which required a sabbatical from the company, indicates the degree to which investor psychology plays a role in the AAPL share price. The newest medical sabbatical, unlike that in 2008, was not offered with a timeframe. The CEO has asked that investors respect his privacy, yet the CEO’s impact on the company he founded is so profound that the investing community will continue to obsess over Jobs’ health.