New Delhi: Sales of personal computers (PC) in the country rose 32 per cent in the first half of this fiscal to cross a record one million units as industries such as telecom and banking and Government went on a computerisation drive.

Total PC sales in April-September 2003 stood at 12.58 lakh units (1.25 million), according to a market study by the Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT) and IMRB.
"This is the first time ever the first half sales is crossing the one million mark," said Mr Vinnie Mehta, Executive Director of MAIT, at a press conference here.

In view of the robust market conditions, MAIT has revised its growth projections for the full year to a 30 per cent growth from 20 per cent. "We now expect the sales to reach three million units as compared to 2.3 million in 2002-03," Mr Mehta said.

According to the study, titled `ITOPs', the growth in PC sales is because of increased consumption by industries such as telecom, banking and financial services, IT-enabled services as well as the Central and State Governments.

The home segment also bought more PCs in the period as prices dropped. "Entry level prices have come down to Rs 20,000 levels while notebooks are available at Rs 50,000," Mr Mehta said.

Sales in smaller towns and cities also continued to grow. Class B and C cities accounted for 50 per cent of total sales over 46 per cent, recording a growth of 42 per cent.

Assembled PCs, consisting of lesser-known brands and unbranded systems, accounted for 57 per cent of the total sales, upping the market share from 48 per cent in the corresponding period a year ago.