Computer market grows 19%

The Vietnamese computer market is predicted to see a year-on-year increase of 19 per cent thanks to a dramatic increase in laptop sales, according to market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

In the second quarter of this year, computer sales marked a 12 per cent increase on Q1, the IDC reported.

The increase was attributed to Vietnamese consumer preferences for laptops rather than desktop based PCs, it said.

In Q2, the number of laptops imported to Viet Nam rose by a dramatic 38 per cent over Q1, and 33 per cent over the same quarter last year.

Laptop sales in the second quarter totalled 462,407, the corporation said.

It believes that the start of the new school year in August, combined with sales promotions, would give computer manufacturers a well-needed shot in the arm, ensuring that they were likely to achieve their turnover targets.

With manufacturers looking to clear old models, free accessories and big discounts are likely to be offered to consumers, it said.

The brand-name laptop market grew 38 per cent in the second quarter, with Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo and Asus doing well.

Dell became the market leader for the first time, with an 11 per cent share of the market thanks to efficient distribution and competitive prices.

HP cut imports due to high stock levels and was second with a 10.5 per cent market share.

They were followed by Acer with 9.9 per cent, Lenovo with 5.1 per cent, and Asus with 4.8 per cent. While the laptop market recorded good business results, the PC market showed a distinct downturn.

In the second quarter, the IDC reported, only 273,101 PC units were imported, down 8 per cent over the first quarter, just a 1 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

It said almost all computer companies had recently faced challenges caused by lower demand and over-stocking of personal computers.

This would become more serious when demand dropped, and Government projects cut IT spending.

IDC spokeswoman Phan Yen said the Vietnamese computer market in the first half of this year had faced many challenges because of lower demand, which was predicted to slacken towards the year-end.

The recent depreciation in the dong was not likely to help matters, she added. — VNS

Tags: Vietnam computer market