HP maintains number-one position worldwide

Hewlett-Packard remained the world's largest PC maker with 20 percent of the worldwide market share while second-placed Dell commanded 14 percent of the market share, barely holding on to a lead over Acer. Indeed, a statement by Gartner noted that "Dell and Acer once again effectively tied for the second position in the global market." However, Dell's shares are expected to be much higher than Acer's, due to Acer's focus on low cost systems.

Interestingly, the fourth place goes to Apple, which Gartner estimated shipped some 1.4 million units. In total, 68.1 million units shipped in the second quarter of 2009. Quarter to quarter, this is a five percent decline from the results in 2008. In spite of the contraction however, IDC's Bob O'Donnell noted that the performance was better than expected. The latest figures indicate that markets are stabilizing or improving, he said.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at The Associated Press
- check out this article at eWeek