Industry news

PC shipments enjoying growth, says analyst

Worldwide PC shipments look set to enjoy growth of 13 per cent this year, one analyst has said.

Gartner revealed the number of PCs shipped across the world is on track to reach 297 million units in 2008 compared to last year's 264 million units.

The analyst's research director, George Shiffler, said mobile PC shipments performed above expectations during the first three months of 2008.

"Mobile PCs continue to have strong momentum and the global economic environment is proving to be less punishing than we expected," he added.

However, it would be premature to say shipments will not be affected by the weak economy if oil and food prices continue to soar, he concluded.

Gartner revealed earlier in the week that silicon wafer sales had shot up by nearly one quarter – totalling $12.5 billion (£7 billion) – in 2007 compared to the year before.