This IDC study reviews the performance of the worldwide PC market during the third quarter of 2005 (3Q05). The study looks at the market performance of desktop and portable PCs as well as x86 servers in major geographies, including the United States, Western Europe, Japan, Asia/Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), and the rest of the world (ROW). Details on unit shipments, market value, and average selling prices (ASPs) are provided, along with a review of the competitive performance of the top PC vendors.

"The worldwide PC market saw a remarkable surge in growth during the third quarter of 2005, reflecting both underlying demand as well as a dynamic competitive landscape. An abundance of promotions offering low-cost systems helped boost overall volume, particularly in the consumer segment, but it will be difficult to sustain these growth rates in the forseeable future, particularly as there is a risk of rising cost due to some component shortages and rising oil prices. Inventory management and competitive pricing along with changes in growth by region present both challenges and opportunities to PC vendors." ? David Daoud, analyst, United States Quarterly PC Tracker and Personal Computing Program.