Much of the growth in emerging markets is being driven by new PC penetration, not replacement purchases, and approximately 55% of PC shipments to emerging markets reflect new PC penetration, says Gartner.
Gartner analysts expect emerging markets to be responsible for the acquiring of about 128 million new PCs during the next two years. This will constitute about 25% of all PC units expected to be shipped globally in 2007 and 2008.
Although PC manufacturers are finding growth opportunities in emerging markets, they are facing mounting challenges in more established markets.
"Vendors continue to face a thorny mix of select growth opportunities and serious challenges in mature markets," said George Shiffler, research director for Gartner's Client Platforms Markets Group. "Continuing strong demand for mobile PCs, especially among consumers, offer vendors tremendous growth opportunities. But, generally weak desk-based PC replacement activity and narrowing penetration opportunities, especially among larger businesses, pose some serious challenges."
Worldwide mobile PC shipments are forecast to total 103.2 million units in 2007, a 27.1% increase from 2006. Meanwhile, desk-based PC shipments are on pace to total 153.9 million units in 2007, up 2.4% from last year.
"Consumer mobile PCs remain the PC market's principal growth driver, thanks to falling average selling prices (ASPs), increasing performance, and the continuing spread of wireless access," said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst for Gartner Dataquest's Client Computing Markets Group. "Globally, mobile PC ASPs have fallen below $1 100, but buyers in many parts of the world have an impressive range of choices below $1 000."
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