3Q10 consumer PC shipments taper in Asia Pacific

IDC’s preliminary results show that the Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) PC market grew 6% sequentially and 14% year-on-year in 3Q10 to reach 28.7 million units, with most countries posting double-digit growth rates.

But the overall region was 1% below IDC’s forecast, not only due to high levels of inventory in the channels, but also as consumers in mature markets were distracted by Media Tablets like Apple’s iPad.

“While 14% growth may seem gloomy compared to last quarter’s 29%, one has to keep in mind that this quarter is being compared to a higher base in 3Q09 when China started to recover from the economic downturn,” said Bryan Ma, Associate Vice President of Asia/Pacific Devices and Peripherals Research at IDC. “So even if the numbers at face value suggest tapering, we’re still looking at double-digit figures in the upcoming years, especially as commercial buying gradually recovers.”

Indeed, India was one of the bright spots in the region, thanks to increased purchasing from the education sector, as well as consumer spending boosted by the festive demand. Public sector spending in Australia moved ahead in the aftermath of the political uncertainties earlier this year. But high levels of inventory in the retail channels for portable PCs in markets like China, Indonesia, and Hong Kong kept those countries from meeting forecasts.

Lenovo continued to lead the Asia/Pacific PC market this quarter. HP, while showing a drastic decline from its peak one year ago, fortunately arrested its slide on a sequential basis after three quarters of declines. ASUS gained due to its pricing and mininotebook efforts in China towards the end of the quarter.