Client PC shipments grew 1.7% during July-September (Q3 FY08) compared to the same period last year, to touch 2.268 mn PCs, according to IDC's India Quarterly PC Tracker.
Year on year, the desktop PC shipments fell 8.9% while notebook PC shipments grew 37.8%.
For the nine month period ending 30 September 2008, the overall PC shipments grew 6.4% over the same period previous year to touch 6.43 mn PCs. Notebook PC shipments grew by 54.5% to touch 1.87 mn while desktop PC shipments fell to 4.56 mn, a de-growth of 5.7%.
"The contribution of the 'Top 5' PC vendors to India Client PC shipments grew from 47.2% in Q3 2007 to 56% in 3Q 2008. This is a visible indicator of faster movement of 'branded' desktop PCs as compared to white box shipments," said Sumanta Mukherjee, Lead Analyst, PC Research, IDC India
While client PC shipments to large and very large businesses contracted 13% year-on-year, the home segment recorded an increase of 16% as buying increased due to the beginning of a new academic session. The SMB segment also registered a 3% growth in the quarter.
"The current subdued buying sentiment has led to inventory pile-up with channel partners, adversely impacting finances. Vendors must rediscover niche segments with buying potential and implement innovative marketing programmes to overcome this situation", Mukherjee added .