Report: PC Shipments Remain Strong

In an update to its PC market outlook, IDC said Thursday that growth in emerging markets, driven largely by lower prices, continues to propel shipments, particularly in Latin American, Middle Eastern, African and Central and Eastern European markets.

Low prices and sales of portables also contributed to the rosy prediction. IDC said it expects total PC shipments to nearly reach the 200 million mark this year and 217 million in 2006. Growth rates are predicted to be 11.4 percent this year and 9 percent in the following year.

"Persistent double-digit growth and a fairly gradual slowdown have raised our short-term outlook," said Loren Loverde, director of IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, in a statement. "Overall growth is likely to fall to single digits, but we continue to expect steady gains throughout the forecast period in all regions."

IDC predicted portable PC demand will continue to drive growth in the U.S. while desktop growth will remain under pressure, eventually slipping to near zero from mid-single digits.

In its mid-April PC report, IDC noted that the weak dollar was stimulating international sales of PCs.