Asia computer sales up 6.2%

By Kristie Lu Stout

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- On the back of its sharpest drop in demand in history, the PC sector is getting a much-needed boost in the Asia Pacific.

The region's sales of PCs, or personal computers, rose 6.2 percent in the fourth quarter, over the previous quarter, according to International Data Corp.

Sales also showed an increase over this time last year, research released Thursday showed, albeit smaller in scale.

The research firm added that the mild quarterly boost hints at a rebound in the languishing sector.

"It is still premature to talk of a PC market recovery, but the sings are encouraging that the worst is over the for region's markets," said Bryan Ma, IDC Asia-Pacific research manager, in a release.

A total of 5.68 million computers sold

"While consumer and corporate buying may not have returned to the level attained in 2000, the declines have been less drastic than previously expected, given the dramatic events that unfolded since September."

IDC said the region's laptop and desktop market reached 5.68 million computers in the fourth quarter of 2001, a 2.5 percent lift from the same period a year ago.

The fourth quarter is traditionally the strongest quarter for computer makers due to the holiday season and year-end corporate purchases.

China-based Legend Holdings, the mainland's largest computer maker, retained its title of the biggest computer seller in the Asia-Pacific market, excluding Japan.

Multinational vendors such as IBM, Dell and Compaq continued their track of moderate to healthy quarterly growth after a slow third quarter.

Though mainland China has been historically the region's fastest-growing computer market, it was eclipsed by South Korea.

South Korea experienced a 22.8 percent quarterly growth spurt in PC sales, fueled by a strong government-led technology spending campaign in the fourth quarter.