Worldwide PC shipments touched 92.2m units in the fourth quarter of 2011, a decrease of 1.4% compared to the same period in 2010, according to Gartner.
Gartner principal analyst Mikako Kitagawa said continuously low consumer PC demand resulted in weak holiday PC shipments.
"While economic uncertainty in Western Europe had an effect on consumer PC shipments, expectations of a healthier economic outlook in North America could not stimulate consumer PC demand in that region. The healthy professional PC market as well as growth in emerging markets could not compensate for the weaknesses in mature markets, with overall growth still negative," added Kitagawa.
Though hard-disk drive (HDD) shortages triggered by floods in Thailand did not have a major impact on PC shipments and prices in the fourth quarter, a major impact will be felt whose effects will be known in the first half of 2012, say Gartner analysts. They feel that these shortages will temporarily lower PC shipment growth during 2012.
HP retained its leadership position in the fourth quarter of 2011, despite a decline in shipment of 16.2% year over year.
Among the top five vendors, Lenovo posted the strongest growth, as its PC shipments grew 23% in the fourth quarter, and thus cementing it position as the No. 2 vendor in global PC shipments.
