According to new results from market analyst, IDC, the combined Australia desktop and notebook market for Q3 2005 reached 875,000 units, decreasing by 9% sequentially but growing by 20% from the same period in 2004.

The third quarter of 2005 performed very much in line with seasonality, with no major tenders to be seen and the SME and whitebox markets making up a greater share of the market. Additionally, the third quarter saw the introduction of new Media Centre devices in the consumer space and a change in the component mix sold with these PCs.

Michael Sager, senior analyst PC hardware at IDC, stated that, “The sub-A$1,000 notebook PC space continued to be a significant new part of the market, but the sell through in some channels during the second quarter slowed this market growth. This is in part due to a significant growth in other low priced products such as projectors and low end single function printers.

“Additionally, the PC market is beginning to regain its sensibility with vendors with strong core strategies being rewarded. The focus on supply chain, intimacy with the end user/channel and responsiveness to market conditions are key for vendors in the current market. In this crowded market, the gold nuggets are beginning to emerge and 2006 will certainly be a year to watch in the vendor rankings,” added Sager.

According to IDC, a key way forward for PC vendors will also be to address the key issues for CIOs, who are facing an increasingly complex environment with telecommunications coming into their areas of responsibility. PCs must be able to help meet their intricate information/business needs, according to IDC and vendors will benefit greatly if they can have succinct, verticalised marketing and messages for their clients.

IDC’s Sager also noted that, “The rankings for the top 6 in Q3 2005 remained unchanged from the previous quarter with HP still heading the pack. HP led both the desktop and notebook PC markets and was solid across the board in the third quarter. Dell also had a strong Q3, having a very strong showing, especially in its desktop business. Acer continues to chip away and maintained its third position overall.”

“Lenovo finished in fourth position in the overall market and is being watched closely by everyone as to their eventual launch into the consumer space. Toshiba came back in a big way, gaining over a point of market share from Q2, and finished just behind HP in the notebook PC market. Rounding out the top 6 was Apple, who continues to work on leveraging its iPod success in Australia,” added Sager.