Report: US, China combine for 43 percent of PC sales in second quarter

Though the United States is expected to remain the largest PC market this year, figures from research firm IDC show that China PC sales surpassed those of the United States in the second quarter of 2011.

According to IDC's report, nearly 18.5 million PCs, including desktop and laptop computers, were sold in China during the second quarter, while 17.7 million units were shipped in the United States. Combined, the two countries represented 43 percent of the global PC market, with China accounting for 22 percent and the United States with 21 percent.

Though China's figures were higher during the second quarter, IDC says it expects the United States to bounce back in the second half of the year. Bolstered by sales during the holiday season, IDC predicts PC sales in the United States will reach 73.5 million units versus China's 72.4 million units.

However, by next year, China is expected to pull ahead in the market. IDC estimates that China's PC shipments in 2012 will amount to 85.2 million units, while US PC shipments will reach 76.6 million.

Personal computer sales around the world have slowed in recent years with the emergence of tablet computers. According to research firm Gartner, tablets will displace nearly 10 percent of PCs by 2014.