Asia-Pacific PC sales climb 38% in Q1, exceed forecasts

Notebooks remained the key driver in lifting sales of PCs in the Asia-Pacific market to double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2010, according to IT market research firm IDC.

Sales in the region, excluding Japan, grew one per cent sequentially and 38 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter 2010 surpassing forecasts by five per cent.

"The sun is really shining now with economic confidence improving by the day," said Bryan Ma, Director of Asia-Pacific Devices and Peripherals Research at IDC. "Regardless of whether consumers really latch onto tablets later this year or not, the need for consumers in Asia to be connected online is tremendous enough to keep pushing the PC market ahead."

The sustained political crisis in Thailand created consumer uncertainty in March, but fortunately public sector projects there continued to move ahead during the quarter.

The "PCs to the Countryside" and "Obsolete Replacement" programmes in China continued to support the region's largest country, while key markets such as Australia came in ahead of forecasts due to consumer notebook sales. Lenovo sustained its top position despite the seasonal Lunar New Year slowdown, while Asus forged ahead in the quarter, riding on its strong performance in China.

"Despite the back-to-school season and IT Show held in Singapore, demand was not as strong as expected, especially in the notebook segment," said Reuben Tan, Senior Manager of Asia-Pacific Client Devices Research at IDC. "As a result, the Singapore PC market came in below forecasts with a one per cent sequential drop."

"As expected, the Hong Kong market in Q1 was buoyed by several fulfillments in the government sector," said Kathy Sin, Manager of Asia-Pacific Client Devices Research at IDC.

"Moreover, improving economic conditions in Hong Kong have kept retail momentum going, driving the market to a 20 per cent year-on-year increase and a total that is close to expectations," he added.

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