China’s appetite and interest in technology shows little sign of slowing with the news that the last quarter saw the Asian giant overtake the US as the largest shipper of PCs in the world.
Full details and statistics come from the IDC:
Approximately 18.5 million units worth US$11.9 billion shipped in China during the quarter, compared to 17.7 million units worth US$11.7 billion in the U.S. China represented 22% of the global PC market’s unit shipments compared to the US at 21%.
Before we start shifting our global perspectives, it is worth noting that the research giant is expecting the PC market leadership to change once again. The upcoming US Christmas holiday season combined with the Chinese market’s typically quiet end to the year should see Uncle Sam regain the top spot at the close of 2011.
However, expect things to change more permanently next year with IDC predicting that 2012 will see China’s PC shipments top the US’s by more than 10%.
The <3 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
The, albeit temporary, change at the top is “a huge shift that reflects the rising fortunes of emerging markets as well as the relative stagnation of more mature regions” according to IDC’s Loren Loverde.
We agree that with its 1.3 billion population developing a strong interest in technology and the web, this is a sign of things to come from China.
With China Mobile, the country’s largest operator with a staggering 600 million plus subscribers, in talks with Apple to finally license the iPhone, it seems like only a matter of time before the Asian giant challenges the west, and the ultimately US, on shipments of the world’s most recognisable smartphone.
After all, according to The Register, grey market users have already given China mobile 7.44 million iPhone users already.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.