Despite the global weakening of sales, the Asia Pacific region showed encouraging growth as PC shipments surpassed 28.2 million units in the first quarter of 2011.

Sales typically do not take off in the beginning of the year and the first quarter is traditionally a slow one for PC sales.

However, Gartner notes that these shipment results indicate potential sluggishness, not just a normal seasonal slowdown. The research firm points out that these figures are below its earlier forecast for three per cent growth in the first quarter of 2011.

Commenting on different markets in Asia, Gartner says PC sales to consumers were slow in both China and Taiwan and failed to attract customers even during the Chinese New Year holiday.