Printer sales up in Q3

Falling unit prices have seen the Australian printer market continue to grow in Q3 according to IDC.

The research firm has reported a four percent year on year growth rate for single-function and multi-function printers.

According to peripherals analyst, Rishi Ghai, the average selling price of a single-function colour laser printer fell 29 percent between Q3 2004 and Q3 2005.

Multi-function colour laser printer prices fell even further with an average sale price 40 percent down in the same period.

Despite falling prices the quarter was subject to the usual seasonal challenges, Ghai said, with overall shipments falling two percent against Q2 2005.

In the absence of large orders, laser printers in Q3 fell by 16 percent sequentially against Q2.

In the vendor rankings HP remained dominant with around 27 percent market share followed closely by Canon remaining at second with 25 percent thanks to consistent multi-function inkjet printer sales.

Lexmark at third position with 16 percent managed to topple Epson at 13 percent based on strong single function sales.

Meanwhile Brother held on at fifth with 7 percent and Dell managed four percent at sixth position. Kyocera with two percent managed to knock Samsung out of the top seven.

The current quarter is expected to witness strong competition in the lead-up to Christmas, Ghai said.