PC Shipments Climbed at End of 2007

PC shipments saw a double-digit increase at the end of 2007...and saw Dell back in the top position for U.S. sales.

Growth in the personal computer market proved to be strong in the final quarter of 2007, according to new figures from market analysis firms Gartner and IDC. Although the companies use slightly different methods to quantify sales—and come up with somewhat different numbers—both agree growth was well in the double-digit range, with Gartner calculating a 13.4 percent increase for the quarter, and IDC finding 15.5 percent growth. And both firms agree a resurgent Dell has reclaimed its top spot for sales in the United States, although rival Hewlett Packard maintained its top position in worldwide PC sales.

According to IDC, sales gains were due in part to strong sales of portable computers, as well as companies like Acer and Dell moving into new sales channels. Dell has recently been expanding its presence in traditional retail sectors like Wal-mart and Staples—and will soon be pushing systems through Best Buy—while Taiwan’s Acer has recently acquired U.S. manufacturer Gateway.

“Fourth quarter results show a very healthy PC market,” said IDC’s Loren Loverde, director of the company’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, in a statement. “There is a lot happening with vendors repositioning their channels and going after new markets while falling prices and portable adoption continue to drive volume.”

Both firms forecast slower growth over the next few years, as concerns over larger economic economic conditions inhibit some technology spending—but IDC is forecasting the industry may still see double-digit sales growth into 2009.

For 2007, IDC calculated an overall growth in PC sales of 15.5 percent, while Gartner estimated the yearly gain at 14.4 percent.