IDC Reports On Western European Smart Connected Device Market

International Data Corporation (IDC) published third quarter metrics Tuesday for the Western European smart connected device (SCD) market.

The report noted that “PC, tablet, and smartphone shipments totaled 60.1 million units, with volume 8.6 percent higher compared with the same quarter a year ago.

“The trends seen during the previous quarter were confirmed in the third quarter of 2014: shipments of PCs continued to post an increase, with demand shifting towards desktops and portable PCs after few years of delayed renewals and with low-end consumer portable PCs driving the growth in shipments.”

The report also indicated that “tablets continued to contract as end users have not seen sufficient need to replace their devices."

Highlights included:

1. “PC shipments were supported by increasing consumer demand during the back-to-school season and preparations for the Christmas sales. Consequently, PC shipments posted 23.6 percent growth in Western Europe.

2. “Tablets declined but 2-in-1s picked up and posted 46.4 percent growth.

3. “Smartphones posted 6.1 percent growth, driven by the increased availability of affordable smartphones and the proliferation of 4G networks.”

The report concluded that “Samsung continued its leadership in the smartphone space in Western Europe, both by volume and value, despite a volume decline of 16.7 percent.”

Apple Inc AAPL “kept second position with a share increase from last year to 17.1 percent, benefitting from the long-awaited larger-screen devices launched in September.”