The rapid growth curve for computer shipments in last year’s third quarter extended into the year’s final months, two technology research firms reported Wednesday.
The U.S. growth rate beat predictions, countering recent forecasts that spending growth in the broader U.S. technology sector would slow this year, and eventually hurt overseas tech markets.
And Hewlett-Packard Corp. maintained its slight edge over Dell Inc. as the world’s largest computer maker, with little change in market share.
The fourth quarter’s increase in computer shipments was roughly in line with the third quarter, when shipments rose at the fastest rate in nearly two years.
Framingham, Massachusetts-based research firm IDC said shipments in October through December rose 15.5 percent, to 77.4 million units, up from 67 million a year earlier.
Gartner Inc., of Stamford, Connecticut, pegged the growth at a slightly slower 13.1 percent, with 75.9 million units shipped, up from 67.1 million in last year’s fourth quarter.
The two firms use slightly different measurements.
In the third quarter, IDC also reported year-over-year growth of 15.5 percent, while Gartner estimated 14.4 percent.
IDC said U.S. computer shipments grew at a stronger-than-expected 8.8 percent in the fourth quarter, while Gartner put the U.S. gain at 7.2 percent.
IDC said U.S. and global gains were driven by growing popularity of mobile computers as well as shifts into new sales channels by Dell and Taiwan-based Acer Inc. Dell has recently begun selling through large retail chains such as Wal-Mart and Staples, in a departure from its direct-to-customer business model.
“Fourth-quarter results show a very healthy PC market,” said Loren Loverde, director of IDC’s worldwide quarterly PC tracker. “There is a lot happening with vendors repositioning their channels and going after new markets, while falling prices and portable adoption continue to drive volume.”
The U.S. economic downturn has triggered predictions that U.S. technology spending won’t grow as fast as it…