IDC’s preliminary results for the combined Australian Desktop and Notebook market for 3Q 2005, shows the Australian PC market grow by 20% from the same period in 2004.
The third quarter of 2005 performed very much in line with the season, with no major tenders to be seen and the SME and whitebox markets making up a greater share of the market. Additionally, the third quarter saw the introduction of new Media Centre devices in the consumer space and a change in the component mix sold with these PCs.
Michael Sager, Senior Analyst PC Hardware believes the sub-AU$1,000 notebook PC space continued to be a significant new part of the market, but the sell through in some channels during the second quarter slowed this market growth, this is in partly due to a significant growth in other low priced products such as projectors and low end single function printers.
“Additionally, the PC market is beginning to regain its sensibility with vendors with strong core strategies being rewarded. In this crowded market, the gold nuggets are beginning to emerge and 2006 will certainly be a year to watch in the vendor rankings,” said Sager.
The rankings for the top six in the third quarter, 2005 remained unchanged from the previous quarter with HP still heading the pack. HP led both the desktop and notebook PC markets and was solid across the board in the third quarter. Dell also had a strong third quarter, having a very strong showing, especially in its desktop business. Acer continues to chip away and maintained its third position overall.
Sager said, “Lenovo finished in fourth position in the overall market and is being watched closely by everyone as to their eventual launch into the consumer space. Toshiba came back in a big way, gaining over a point of market share from 2Q, and finished just behind HP in the notebook PC market. Rounding out the Top 6 was Apple, who continues to work on leveraging its iPod success in