China's Lenovo Group has overtaken US-based Hewlett-Packard Co in the third quarter to become the world’s leading personal computer maker. The quarter was also a transitional quarter ahead of the Windows 8 launch.

Lenovo displaced Hewlett-Packard (HP), which was the top personal computer (PC) vendor since the third quarter of 2006, according to data released by research and advisory firm Gartner.

The Chinese company’s market share rose to 15.7 per cent, while that of the Silicon Valley-based firm was at 15.5 per cent as of third quarter of 2012. However, the research said these were preliminary data.

Aggressive position

In addition to acquiring other vendors, Lenovo has also taken an aggressive position on pricing, especially in the professional market. As a result, Lenovo has achieved significant market share gains over the last two years, exceeding regional average growth rates across all regions.

HP is currently restructuring its device business, including PCs and tablets.

Dell was the No.3 vendor during the period. While Dell suffered a steeper shipment decline than the worldwide average, it was less impacted by the upcoming release of Windows 8 because of its strong focus in the professional market. Dell continues to gradually transform itself from a PC or device supplier to a solution provider.

Global SHIPMENTS

Global personal computer shipments fell 8.3 per cent to 87.5 million units in the third quarter of 2012, compared with that during the same period a year ago.

"A continuing slowdown in consumer PC shipments played a big part in the overall PC market decline. The third quarter was also a transitional quarter before Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system release, so shipments were less vigorous as vendors and their channel partners liquidated inventory,” said Gartner principal analyst Mikako Kitagawa.

In the US, PC shipments totalled 15.3 million units, a 13.8 per cent decline in the reporting period, with four of the top five vendors recording falls.

PC shipments in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) fell 8.7 per cent (total 25.8 million units) and that in Asia-Pacific registered a 5.6 per cent (31.3 million units) decline.

rajesh.kurup@thehindu.co.in