Graphics chips (GPUs and IGPs) are the leading indicator of the PC market. The GPUs go into a system before it becomes a PC and gets into the hands of the customer.
After the channel stopped ordering GPUs and depleted inventory in anticipation of a long drawn out worldwide recession in Q3 and Q4 of 2008, expectations were hopeful, if not high that Q1’09 would change for the better. In fact, Q1 showed improvement but it was less than expected, or hoped. Instead, Q2 was a very good quarter for vendors – counter to normal seasonality – but then these are hardly normal times. It’s clear the channel is gearing up for what it thinks is going to be a robust back-to-school season.
Traditionally, Q1 to Q2 sales decline due to summer vacations and preparation for the fall. This year preparation seems to have gotten off to an early start.
| 8 yr avg. | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |||||||||
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Average change
Q1 to Q2 |
0.83% | -5.42% | -5.18% | 1.63% | -4.22% | 3.13% | -0.49% | 31.29% | ||||||||
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Table 1: Growth rates from Q1 to Q2 from 2003 to 2009 |
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