Lenovo continues climb as PC market shifts

The PC market is undergoing a series of transitions, as laptop and desktop computer sales slip amid the growth of tablet computers and other devices. As a result, the leadership roles are shifting with new players coming out on top.

According to research firm IHS iSuppli, the global PC market grew 5.5 percent in the third quarter of 2011. However, despite this relatively low overall growth, computer maker Lenovo® managed to increase its sales and move into the No. 2 spot in the market.

The research firm reports that Lenovo's global PC shipments increased from 10.9 million in the second quarter to 12.5 million in the third, moving the company ahead of Dell® and directly behind market leader HP. According to IHS, Lenovo is now within 4.2 percentage points of HP -- the closest any company has been since early 2008.

IHS notes that Lenovo saw quarter-to-quarter growth from both its desktop and notebook computer lines, which was attributable largely to strong demand for at-home PCs in China.

Traditional PC sales have slowed considerably since the emergence of the tablet computer in 2010. However, experts say the upcoming arrival of the Ultrabook™ -- a lightweight, highly portable take on the laptop -- could lead to new growth in the market.