U.S. Q1 PC Shipments Increase 3%

NEW YORK — First-quarter U.S. PC shipments were a measly 3 percent due to weakening economic conditions, according to two research firms.

However, worldwide PC shipments again enjoyed double-digit growth for the same period.

The low U.S. increase was in line with analysts' expectations, said Gartner and IDC.

Gartner reported total U.S. shipments of 14.8 million for the first quarter, up 3 percent, with first-place Dell extending its market share lead over Hewlett-Packard. Dell shipped 4.8 million units, giving it 31.4 percent of the market, while HP shipped 3.8 million for 25 percent market share.

Continuing what has become a long-term trend, mobile computers drove U.S. sales, said Mika Kitagawa, principal analyst for Gartner's Client Computing Markets group.

"Home mobile PC growth continued to drive U.S. PC growth," Kitagawa said. "Despite declining consumer confidence, U.S. consumers did not put off mobile PC purchases as evidenced by solid mobile growth during the first quarter. This growth was stimulated in part by aggressive price cuts."

IDC also had Dell as the leading U.S. shipper for the first quarter, pushing out just fewer than 5 million units for 30.9 percent share, with HP behind at 3.8 million units, shipping for 24.3 percent of the market.

"With the weak economy in the United States, PC shipments were negatively impacted by cautious PC buying in the consumer and commercial markets," said Doug Bell, research analyst, U.S. PC Tracker Program. "Despite the tough economic environment, shipment growth remained in positive territory, essentially driven by the sustained shift to mobility, combined with Dell's renewed competitive stance."

Acer, Apple and Toshiba rounded out IDC and Gartner's top five U.S. vendors by shipment.