Computerworld

HP leads the way as NZ PC market approaches "best ever year" in history

"Consumer demand remained strong and was primarily driven by falling price of notebooks."

New Zealand PC market shipments totalled 187,000 units in the third quarter of 2014, figures which place the industry on the verge of witnessing its best year ever in history.

According to IDC's just released Asia/Pacific Quarterly PC Tracker, this resulted in a year over year (YOY) growth of 12.9% and surpassed IDC’s forecast by 3.8%.

"Several market drivers that played a role in the second quarter remained applicable in 3Q and contributed to the above results," says Arunachalam Muthiah, Market Analyst, IDC.

"Consumer demand remained strong and was primarily driven by falling price of notebooks.

"A new line of Apple notebooks and end-user price promotions also fuelled expansion in the consumer segment.

“Although XP migration refreshes have slowed down, chromebooks and ultrasmall form factor desktops secured substantial deals that stimulated growth in commercial space."

If the market continues to sustain the same upward trend in the fourth quarter and meets forecast expectations, Muthiah predicts that 2014 will turn out to be the "best year the New Zealand PC market has ever witnessed in its history."

Given the current commercial and consumer sentiment, IDC anticipates that the chances for this scenario to happen are highly likely.

Vendor Highlights

HP again grew its market share quarter on quarter to remain the market leader securing 41% of the market in 3Q14.

Acer and Apple were the second and third biggest vendors as they maintained their share at 17% and 12% respectively while Toshiba and Dell took the fourth and fifth spots.