Mumbai, Apr 12 (IANS): For the first time since 2007, PC market experienced shipments below 63 million in the first quarter of 2017 -- a decline of 2.4 per cent from the first quarter of previous year, a new report said on Wednesday.

According to market research firm Gartner, worldwide PC shipments totaled 62.2 million units in the first quarter of 2017, as consumers continued to refrain from replacing older PCs, while some consumers abandoned the PC market altogether.

"While the consumer market will continue to shrink, maintaining a strong position in the business market will be critical to keep sustainable growth in the PC market. Winners in the business segment will ultimately be the survivors in this shrinking market," said Mikako Kitagawa, Principal analyst at Gartner.

However, the Asia-Pacific PC market showed some stabilisation, as PC shipments totaled 22.8 million units in the first quarter of 2017, just a 0.8 per cent decline from the first quarter of 2016.

Gartner predicted that the top three vendors -- Lenovo, HP and Dell -- will battle for the large-enterprise segment.

"The market has extremely limited opportunities for vendors below the top three, with the exception of Apple, which has a solid customer base in specific verticals," Kitagawa added.

Lenovo and HP recorded 19.9 per cent and 19.5 per cent of worldwide PC shipments share, respectively followed by Dell at 15 per cent share.

The PC industry is also experiencing a price increase, owing to either local currency deterioration against the US dollar or due to a component shortage.

"The price hike will suppress PC demand even further in the consumer market, discouraging buyers away from PC purchases unless it is absolutely necessary," Kitagawa noted.