Laptop shipments outpace desktop PCs for first time
WinInfo | at | by Mike
PC makers shipped more portable PCs than desktop computers in the third quarter of 2008, the first time that's ever happened. A surge in low-cost netbook computers is credited with the changeover, which had previously been building slowly.
Portable PC shipments rose almost 40 percent in the quarter to 38.6 million units, according to market research firm iSuppli. Meanwhile, sales of desktop PCs fell by 1.3 percent to 38.5 million units.
Overall, PC sales were up 15.4 percent globally, iSuppli says, with 79 million PCs shipped. HP remains the number one PC maker, with 14.9 million units and market share of 18.8 percent. Dell is number two, with about 11 million units sold and 13.9 percent of the market.