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Global PC shipments on track


Cape Town, 17 Aug 2004

Worldwide PC shipments remain on track at 12.6% growth in 2004, equivalent to 185 million units, according to a preliminary third quarter forecast by Gartner.

However, revised scenarios accompanying the new forecast reflect that there is now a greater potential for downside. In the second quarter, Gartner had projected worldwide PC shipments to increase 13.4%.

"Recent US economic data does increase the uncertainty over the PC market`s performance in the second half," says Kiyomi Yamada, analyst for Gartner`s client platforms research. "Any economic downturn would be felt in both the business and home PC markets. However, we believe the most likely outcome is for the market to register double-digit growth in 2004.

"The ongoing build-up of older PCs in the installed base continues to exert strong replacement pressure," says George Shiffler, principal analyst for Gartner`s client platforms research.

"PC users are sitting on an aging installed base that remains ripe for replacement. So long as economic conditions remain supportive, we believe users will respond, but the recent run-up in oil prices and talk of a US economic 'soft patch` increase the possibility that this replacement cycle could be undercut by external events."

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