
It's yet another touchstone many hoped Apple would reach but couldn't envision happening so soon. Yet based on the latest estimates from industry analysts released today, stellar Mac and iPad sales have put Apple on track to become the world's biggest PC vendor for 2012.
If, in fact, you lump the iPad into the PC category (which some will debate) as research firm Canalys does, Apple will - by July 2012 - leapfrog past HP to become the globe's king of the PC makers. That title is derived from projected sales of Apple's Macs and iPads when compared to competing PCs on the market. As of today's numbers, Apple is the world's second largest PC vendor.
"Apple has seen its PC market share expand from 9 percent to 15 percent in just four quarters, though iPad shipments in its core market -- the United States -- are likely to come under pressure in Q4 due to the launch of the Fire and Nook at extremely competitive price points," Canalys Analyst Tim Coulling said Monday. "HP and Apple will fight for top position in Q4, but Apple may have to wait for the release of iPad 3 before it passes HP."
For 2011, Canalys estimates full-year 2011 global PC shipments will reach 415 million, up 15% year-on-year. That growth is underpinned predominantly by an increase in iPad sales, the company says.
To read the full report from Canalys, click here.
Source: Canalys
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