PC sales have recorded negative growth in Q1, 2009 in India. The percentage fall of 11.7% has been more in India  vis-a-vis rest of the world sales growth figures which stands at negative 6.6%. Market and economy watchers feel that the impact in India has been more as the country is feeling more jittery over fallout of recession. In addition the only segment in PC sales which has recorded positive growth, Netbooks, has yet to find any serious takers in India. The spending from enterprises small or medium has virtually come to standstill. While the Government organizations are waiting for “Model code of conduct” to pass over, the private sector too is feeling the heat as most of the Government purchases and works which drives the economy has come to standstill for  now almost two months. Things will effectively liven up only after May 2009. And if Gartner’s projections are to be believed in the year 2009 the PC sales are expected to fall by 3.7% on Y to Y basis.

Q1:2009 sales has seen HP leading the pack with sales of 3 lacs units followed by HCL at 1.98 lacs units, DELL at 1.48 units and Acer at 1.22 lacs units. The total sales have been 21 lacs. Gartner estimates for 2009 speaks of total PC sales in the range of 89 lacs units. So does that mean that PC sales have reached saturation levels and hereafter the growth will be either negative or flat. The answer is negative. PC and Laptop sales gets a shot in the arm the moment some new technology or a product with breakthrough features comes in to being. PC sales are expected to revive in Q2 world over. India will definitely see tremendous activity in the Q2 and Q3 as new Government takes shape and investments gets the much needed philip.