Worldwide personal computer shipments totaled 239 million units in 2006, a 9.5 percent increase from 2005, according to market analysts Gartner. The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region continued to be the largest PC region during the year.

Asia/Pacific and Latin America also well exceeded the worldwide industry growth average. U.S. PC shipments however were well below the worldwide average, showing clear evidence of market saturation, according to the consultancy.

Dell and HP shared the No. 1 position in 2006, as both vendors had worldwide PC shipment market share totals of 15.9 percent. Toshiba moved into the worldwide top 5 table, surpassing Fujitsu/Fujitsu Siemens.

For 2006, U.S. PC shipments totaled 61.1 million units, a 1.2 percent increase from 2005.

PC shipments in EMEA totaled 80.3 million units in 2006, a 10.8 percent increase from 2005. The region ended the year with a strong fourth quarter, as shipments totaled 25.7 million units, an 11.9 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2005. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the EMEA PC market suffered from weaker demand in Western Europe, in particular from Germany and the Nordic countries.

In Asia/Pacific, PC shipments reached 59.9 million units in 2006, a 17.2 percent increase from 2005. In the fourth quarter, PC shipments reached 15.7 million units, a 13.3 percent increase.

PCs are an important market for the global express and parcel sectors and the figures indicate strong growth in volumes in the EMEA and Asia Pacific region. In addition, the demand will have been felt right along the supply chain, benefiting logistics companies involved in the distribution of the PCs as well as those moving components to the assembly lines. The situation is forecast to last well into 2007, with many companies expected to invest in new computer hardware when Microsoft launches its new Vista software.

Source: Transport Intelligence

The Glossary of Terms in Logistics & Shipping is the most comprehensive paper-based dictionary and therefore the standard for defining terms used in the area of Logistics and Shipping. Use this powerful tool to expand your professional vocabulary and ensure that everyone on your team is speaking the same language. www.theKnowledgeTransfer.com

paperback student version $ 19,99 hardcover executive version $ 29,99

| Permanent Link | Print This eLog |

(Visited over 19271 times)