Global computer sales rise by 15.4%

Worldwide computer shipments this year will rise more than forecast, driven by demand for laptop devices and stronger sales in Europe, according to a report issued by researcher IDC.

Shipments will climb 15.4 percent in 2008, up more than 1.5 percent from the March forecast of 12.8. Worldwide notebook computer shipments will rise 34.5 percent this year, compared to earlier projections of 26.2 percent, Tootoo.com learned.

Overall shipments in Western Europe will gain 13.8 percent this year, IDC said, higher than its earlier forecast of 12.4 percent. U.S. shipments will climb 5.6 percent, less than predicted in March.

The researcher raised its forecast for Western Europe portable-computer growth to 31.9 percent this year from 22.2 percent.

IDC said in March it expected shipments of computers in the U.S. to climb 6.9 percent this year to 71.7 million units, led by a 21 percent increase in notebooks.