Apple PC Market: A Close Look at Apple PC Market Share in Quarter 4 2012

Apple PC Market: With the help of strong table sales, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) grabbed roughly 20 percent of worldwide PC shipments during the fourth quarter of 2012, according to the research firm Canalys.

Before we go any further, it is important to note once again that this does include tablet shipments. In other words, Apple got a huge bump due to the popularity of its iPad lineup.

In fact, the report shows that the iPad accounted for one out of every six shipped PCs.

If you want to review the report in its entirety, you can do so by clicking on the following link: One in six PCs shipped in Q4 2012 was an iPad

Below is a brief excerpt talking about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s lead in the PC market:

“Apple continued to lead the PC market, shipping 27.0 million units and taking its share over 20% for the first time. HP shipped 15.0 million PCs, beating Lenovo by 200,000 units to regain second place, with both vendors taking an 11% share. Samsung, buoyed by strong pad shipments, had its first quarter in the top five, shipping 11.7 million PCs, giving it a 9% share and fourth place ahead of Dell. The notebook market continued to falter, with Q4 volumes flat compared with the same period in 2011. The combination of the Windows 8 launch and holiday sales in Western Europe and the US had little effect on worldwide shipments. The pad segment, however, grew 75% to 46.2 million units, with full-year shipments totaling 114.6 million units.”

As you can see, Apple continues to dominate at the top of the market with 27 million units shipped. With this number, it marks the first time the company has eclipsed the 20 percent mark.

It is safe to say that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would not own nearly as much of the market if it were not for its iPad lineup, which includes the new mini tablet.

Although Apple did quite well in terms of overall shipments, Canalys takes note of a slip in the company’s table share:

“Canalys estimates that the mini made up over half of Apple’s total pad shipments, with its attractive price point and compact design leading to significant cannibalization in the iPad range and wider PC market. Despite record shipments, Q4 saw Apple’s pad share dip to 49%, becoming the first quarter it has not controlled over half the market.”

What are your thoughts on this study? Do you like what you see in terms of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s PC market share in Q4 2012?

Share your thoughts below.

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DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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