Worldwide personal computer shipments up more than 20 percent in first three months of 2010

Global 1Q PC shipments jump more than 20 percent

SEATTLE — Researchers say worldwide personal computer shipments increased more than 20 percent in the first three months of 2010 from the same period a year ago. That shows the PC business is bouncing back from one of its worst stretches ever.

Analysts at research firms IDC and Gartner Inc. say many businesses are starting to purchase new computers for the first time since the economic downturn. In the U.S., consumers widely continued to buy new laptops. Shipments also got a boost from increasing sales in China.

Gartner said PC shipments rose 27.4 percent. IDC estimated shipments grew 24.2 percent. The two groups calculate the figure using slightly different methods.

Hewlett-Packard Co. remained the top computer maker in the world, followed by Acer Inc. and Dell Inc.