This IDC study presents an updated (4Q05 actual and annual forecast data up to 2010) look at the worldwide PC marketplace going forward. It is valid as of March 2006 and provides forecast and growth figures for PC shipments at the worldwide level and for key regional markets. Details include unit, value, and average system price (ASP) figures, including compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) for the period from 2005 to 2010. For comparison purposes, the tables in this document also include historical figures for 2003-2005.

"Despite volatile economic and political environments worldwide, the worldwide PC market was fairly robust in the fourth quarter of 2005, generating a healthy 15.6% growth. As for the outlook, although we expect the market to slow in most regions, and notably in Western Europe, Japan, and Rest of World (ROW), total worldwide growth is expected to be at least 10.5% through 2008. This is slightly more optimistic than our November forecast, which called for growth to slip below 10% starting in 2007. The update reflects a shift of growth from 2006 to 2007 that combines the influence of stronger commercial spending with a larger response to Microsoft's Vista release and related developments around digital integration." - David Daoud, research manager, U.S. Quarterly PC Tracker and Personal Computing program