Lies, damn lies, and marketshare statistics

There are two conflicting reports on US marketshare out from Gartner and IDC. While both agree that Apple has moved solidly into the #3 slot in US marketshare (behind Dell and HP), they disagree about the actual numbers. Gartner gives Apple 8.1% of the US market with an estimate of 1.3 million Macs shipped, while IDC has our favorite fruit company at 6.3% with 1.1 million Macs shipped. Whatever the exact numbers it's clear that Apple is on the move and Dell is falling. With the Leopard launch right around the corner you've got to think that the bean counters in Cupertino are anticipating fourth quarter sales with glee.

[via electronista]