IDC: Netbooks Fuel European PC Market

Having enjoyed regular two figure growth in the past, the IDC sees the EMEA region split in two, with Western Europe providing acceptable figures while results in the east, Russia and the Ukraine in particular, proved disappointing.

A strong demand for portable devices, especially during the Christmas period, had a positive influence on overall sales, although desktops suffered under the continuing cannibalisation-effect of portables. IDC sees continued growth for the netbook market in 2009, while sales of PCs and notebooks expected to hover at current levels. One reason for this is the hesitant company invest ion as a reaction to the credit crisis.

Manufacturer HP extended its market lead in the third quarter, with a growth of 13% compared to the year before, with Acer next, followed by Dell and Asus. Netbook inventor Asus saw its sales, also thanks to netbooks, grow by 79%. With a plus of 0.4%, Dell seem to be running on the spot and Toshiba's rise of 42% landed them in fifth place.