We're buying more boxes than we used to, but PC manufacturers aren't exactly dancing in the streets.
Gartner published its PC sales metrics for the third quarter last night. The industry tracker estimates that 91.8 million computers were shipped during the period, a 3.2% increase from the number of desktops and laptops during last year's third quarter. Gartner was originally targeting a 5.1% increase, but global weakness -- particularly in Western Europe -- sunk that early projection.
The silver lining here is that unit volume increased by 1.1% in the United States. PC sales had suffered year-over-year declines in each of this year's first two quarters.
Hewlett-Packard
The news is also good for Apple
Apple's success opens up a new way to spin the Gartner data. Take Apple out of equation and PC sales in this country would have fallen by 1.4% -- or the third straight period of year-over-year declines.
Am I the only one that finds that nugget more than a little alarming? It's hard to get too excited about accessory maker Logitech
If you want to see if the bulls or the bears have the last laugh, track the company by adding Apple to My Watchlist.