European PC market continues to contract

Central and Eastern Europe markets flagging despite mini notebook success in western Europe

Acer shipped the most PCs in the region

The PC market in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa continued to contract for the third consecutive quarter with overall PC shipments down eight per cent on the same quarter last year, according to data from IDC.

The Central and Eastern European regions showed a 30.9 per cent decline in PC sales, bringing down overall figures.

Desktop shipments – mostly the preserve of businesses - suffered the most, with a 22.3 per cent drop in shipment levels.

Stefania Lorenz, research director, systems and infrastructure solutions at IDC, said: "The Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Africa regions are yet to recover from the economic crisis, with both continuing to suffer heavy market declines."

But while the desktop market suffered as businesses remained hesitant to spend, the consumer market stayed afloat thanks to mini notebook demand during the back-to-school season in western Europe - meaning the PC market in the region recorded 0.8 per cent growth.

"Buoyancy in the EMEA mini notebook market continued unabated, with an estimated four million units shipped in the back-to-school season," said Eszter Morvay, research manager, IDC.

Acer shipped the most PCs – seeing a 15.6 per cent year-on-year rise driven primarily by mini notebooks.

HP slid to second place in the overall ranking, while Dell maintained third place, despite further contraction of shipment levels.

Asus regained fourth place in the ranking from Toshiba.