EMEA PC market shows Q3 growth

PC market in Europe, the Middle East and Africa grew 10.5 per cent in the third quarter of the year, representing a total of 27.8 million shipments.

According to IDC figures, year-on-year growth was softer than expected in Western Europe, at 0.5 per cent, primarily down to weak demand for mini notebooks (netbooks), which saw shipments decline by 25 per cent.

The new generation of tablets are thought to be partly responsible for the decline of the netbook, however, notebooks still saw 10.1 per cent growth over the quarter.

“Mainstream notebook renewals in the consumer space remained positive, with most countries in Western Europe recording double-digit growth in the back to school season, but high sell in levels in 2Q and less attractive price points, combined with the accelerated contraction of netbook shipments, led to softer consumer growth in 3Q," said Eszter Morvay, research manager for IDC EMEA PC Tracker.

Central and Eastern Europe exceeded projections, with over 43 per cent growth year-on-year, driven by continued strength and recovery across commercial and consumer markets.

In the Middle East, growth came in line with forecasts at 12.4 per cent.