The Gartner research group has raised its forecast for third quarter personal computer shipments a bit, though the company remains cautious in its outlook.
Worldwide personal computer shipments are forecast to reach 39.8 million units in the third quarter of 2003, a 9.6 percent increase over the third quarter of 2002. Gartner analysts project computer shipments to reach 161.3 million units in 2003, an 8.9 percent increase over 2002.
Gartner analysts said that the anticipated replacement cycle has been slower than expected. “Selective replacements were apparent in the first half of 2003, but a now elongated general cycle will not be evident until early 2004,” the company says. Gartner believes users are replacing computers, but “on somewhat delayed schedules, as machines reach the end of usable life.”
Apple is expecting to see a substantial increase in sales of its Power Mac line, as the recently introduced Power Mac G5 systems reach consumers this month.
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