Strong demand from Europe, Canada and Latin America pushed the sale of personal computers by 15 per cent to 39.7 million in the second quarter of 2004, according to a study.
"April-June was the fifth consecutive quarter of double digit growth in PC sales. Aggressive prices continue to fuel both consumer and commercial replacements, particularly for desktop systems. While portable growth remained strong, demand shifted towards desktops during the second quarter," according to research firm IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.
"Demand in Europe supported by strong euro and aggressive promotions was the biggest driver in the second quarter, consumer demand and commercial replacements seem fairly steady across major regions with growth slightly slower in Asia and faster in Europe, Canada and Latin America," said Loren Loverde, director of IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.
"Overall growth remains strong and strength in Europe bodes well for the second half of the year," he said.
PC shipments in Europe showed a growth of 20 per cent for the fourth consecutive quarter. Portable growth remained above 25 per cent but slowed from prior quarter.
In the United States, the demand was strong in all segments of the market except federal government. In Asia-Pacific, China continued to drive regional growth in line with the forecasts despite a decline in South Korea and limited impact from recent low-cost PC programmes.
The Japanese market continued to struggle, limited by high portable penetration and a weak economy. Growth remained positive in second quarter but slowed from first quarter.