PC sales on the rise across the globe; Apple #3 in U.S.

Global recession? Don't tell PC makers. According to a variety of reports, computer sales "grew at a healthy clip" last quarter, with worldwide sales climbing a whopping 15 to 16 percent. In the U.S. alone, sales were up 3.6 to 4.2 percent, depending on which analyst firm you go with. Notebooks are of course the big growth segment, especially overseas.

It's not all wine and roses, however: Globally, economic conditions (not just in the U.S.) weigh heavily on the future, with prices falling around the world and Gartner suggesting that this could all end up with more merger mania like we saw in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as PC makers join forces in order to better compete during the storm.

The big winner in all of this? Apple, of course, which has now become the #3 seller of computers in the U.S. Though it doesn't rank in the top five on a worldwide basis, its market share in the U.S. jumped up a full 2 percent over the last year, placing it a (distant) third behind Dell (which is now back in first) and HP. Apple leapfrogged a flagging Acer to grab its spot in the limelight. Note that all market share figures are based on unit shipments, not the dollar value of those sales (which would probably place Apple at an even higher market share number).

The forecast is probably a good sign for consumers looking for a bargain: Softening global sales down the road are likely to lead to increased price competition, so if you've been biding your time as you wait for prices to hit an affordable level, that moment may be imminent. I'd expect to see some pretty impressive discounts for both back to school shoppers and during the holiday season as vendors try to shore up their financials with better revenue numbers before the end of the year hits.

LINK: Apple Becomes Number Three Maker In The U.S. As Overall PC Sales Climb Worldwide