AP Story
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Technology research group IDC says worldwide personal computer shipments fell in the first quarter of 2008, though not as badly as expected.
IDC says PC shipments sank 7.1 percent around the globe, while in the U.S. shipments of personal computers, including Dell PCs only dropped 3.1 percent.
IDC was looking for even steeper declines in PC shipments, but researchers say low prices on personal computers, including cheap personal computers and back to school desktops are popular as well as surging interest levels in small, inexpensive notebooks and netbooks have helped keep the personal computers market afloat.
IDC predicts declines in personal computer shipments April-August of 2009, but says the personal computers sector could turn around in the fourth quarter as back to school and holiday shopping seasons could be robust for cheap laptops and used desktops.
Low Cost Hewlett Packard Computers edged out Dell PCs for the top spot in the U.S.
