Worldwide PC Market: 4Q11 Review

This IDC study reviews the performance of the worldwide PC market during the fourth quarter of 2011 (4Q11). It looks at the market performance of desktop and portable PCs in major geographies, including the United States, Western Europe, Japan, Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) (APEJ), and the rest of the world (ROW). Details on unit shipments, market value, and average selling prices (ASPs) are provided, along with a review of the competitive landscape of the top PC vendors.

"4Q11 witnessed negative sequential growth — a trend that is rarely seen — of 1.2%. This was in line with 2008's economic and financial debacle. Holiday season sales of 4Q11 could not bring movement in the consumer space," says Rajani Singh, research analyst, United States Quarterly PC Tracker." We also expect a rocky 2012. Politics and the macroeconomy have become much more relevant in the forecast than in the past. This is because until recently, the nature of the market was expansionary; investments by both business and consumers were a must. Now that the market has moved to be a replacement market, external factors will be more influential in buyers' behavior."