Heavy discounting by vendors and channels lifted shipments in the Australian PC market to 1.8 million units in Q2, despite wavering consumer sentiment and weakening economic momentum, reports IDC.The overall PC market recorded a modest 7 percent growth year-on-year and 6 percent sequential growth in Q2, IDC says. But in terms of value, the market grew only 1 percent.

However, aggressive promotional efforts on the back of tax-time rush, along with product refreshes to Intel’s Sandy Bridge platform, were vital in stimulating demand, given weak consumer sentiment in the wake of Canberra’s carbon tax announcement and natural disasters.

“The ongoing price erosion is accelerating the commoditisation of the PC market, further intensifying the pressure vendors face to gain profitable, yet sustainable, share as margins tighten,” said IDC market analyst Amy Cheah.

HP remained the top selling brand Down Under in Q2 with 24 percent of the market, according to IDC. Acer was in second place with 15pc – followed closely by Dell (14pc) and Apple (13pc).