Asia's PC Market Bouncing Back From Crisis Downturn

Showing strong signs of recovery, Asia's personal computer (PC) market posted its highest quarterly shipment total ever in Q1 1999, according to a technology research company. Framingham, Mass.-based International Data Corp. (IDC) reported that 2.95 million units were shipped, almost 25% more units than were shipped in the same quarter the previous year. IDC recorded growth in all of the countries it tracks, ranging from 4% in Malaysia to 66% in Indonesia. The key countries, India, China, Australia, and Taiwan, showed continued growth; and even markets that floundered during the economic crisis had strong performances. "After two very tumultuous years, the regional PC market appears to be firmly planted on the path of recovery," says Brian Kornegay, research manager at IDC Asia/Pacific. "Obstacles such as political uncertainties in India and precarious China-U.S. relations remain, but IDC expects the regional PC market's momentum to continue." Considering the recent stabilization of currency values and the gains in the stock market, IDC believes the strong Q1 results are a sign that the regional market's recovery is well underway. IDC increased its 1999 regional forecast to 12.9 million unit shipments. These findings stem from IDC's Asia/Pacific AsiaDAT Quarterly PC Tracker.