Higher PC shipments below expectations: Gartner

Market researcher Gartner has recorded a lower than expected increase in worldwide PC shipments for the third quarter of 2004.

Gartner reported a 9.7 increase for the quarter, compared to the same period last year.

PC shipments in the US grew five percent in the quarter but analysts had predicted eight percent. Australia fared well, with shipments increasing by 19 percent.

However, slower sales in the US had affected global PC shipments.

"US home notebook shipments were strong during the quarter, but desktop demand was much weaker," said Charles Smulders, vice-president of Gartner's worldwide computing platforms group. 

Major vendors managed to either maintain or slightly gain market share.

Dell recorded the most significant growth, extending its worldwide market share to 16.8 percent, up from 15.2 percent in the same period last year. 

 "The market is on a downward trend compared to the peak nearly a year ago as replacement cycles come to an end and with consumer demand beginning to waver," said Ranjit Atwal, analyst of Gartner's computer platforms group in London.