El Segundo, Calif . – Tablet
PCs are starting to have an impact on computer sales as IHS iSuppli recorded a
slight dip in unit shipments for the first quarter of 2011.
The research firm found
PC shipments for that period fell 0.3 percent to 81.3 million from 81.6 million
during the first quarter of 2011.
In addition, IHS found
three of the top five PC shippers suffered a fall off with Acer leading the
pack dropping 20.4 percent. Acer’s decline was due to its dependence on the
netbook and the direct impact tablets are having on those products.
“IHS believes that the jury is still out on exactly how much
tablets are cannibalizing PC sales. However, the rising number of tablet models
on the market, along with certain high-profile product launches during the
first quarter, caused confusion among consumers as to exactly how to view the
tablet platform relative to the PC platform,” said Matthew Wilkins, principal analyst
for computer platforms.
IHS analysts were surprised at the fall off as the fourth quarter
of 2010 represented the best period ever for global PC shipments.
Despite these early month doldrums, IHS expects a turnaround
later this year with the global PC marketing growing 8 percent to 373 million
units.
HP maintained its top spot with 18.9 percent of the market. Dell
continued to hang onto second place with 12.9 percent share. Dell was helped by
Acer’s 20.4 percent drop. Lenovo and Toshiba filled out the rest of the top
five.
