HP Middle East gained record market share across many of its consumer and enterprise businesses according to the latest IDC market share reports for the fourth quarter of 2008.

HP retained its top position in the total server market thanks to strong performance in the fast growing Blade market where HP grew its share to 58 per cent, and the continued growth of the Itanium-based Integrity platform which grew to represent 12.9 per cent of all shipments.

It also retained more than 20 per cent of share in the total PC market for the second consecutive quarter.

In the consumer PC market, HP achieved its fourth consecutive quarter of market share in excess of 20 per cent, while it gained 3.0 per cent percentage points of share year on year in the commercial PC space to reach 18.5 per cent, its second highest ever share performance.

HP also achieved third consecutive year of market share in excess of 65 per cent in the consumer inkjet market, thanks to exceptional performances in the single function printer and all-in-one markets.

“Over the past several years, HP has made particular efforts to differentiate their product portfolio using technology and design, as well as improve their direct and indirect go-to-market strategies. Their most recent market share performance shows the impact of these initiatives,” said Thomas Meyer, vice president, EMEA systems and infrastructure solutions, IDC EMEA.

“The Middle East is a strategic growth market for HP, and it is great to see our strong share performances across the businesses. They illustrate our differentiation, in terms of both product and strategy," said John Hoonhout, managing director and technology solutions group lead, HP Middle East.

"While the deteriorating global economic situation is affecting the broader IT market, our gains in the Middle East demonstrate that customers are turning to HP to increase efficiencies in their IT environment,” he added.

“Meanwhile, partners are benefiting from the increased support we have provided to the channel through the downturn.” – TradeArabia News Service