TECHNOLOGY - Oct. 28, 1996

PC Market Rises in 3rd Quarter: Third-quarter personal computer shipments rose 16%, the slowest growth rate in five years, as Compaq Computer Corp. and International Business Machines Corp. both increased market share, according to two market research firms. The research firms said last year’s figures were inflated by large shipments by Apple Computer Inc. and Packard Bell-NEC, which later slashed prices because the PCs didn’t sell. Growth is expected to rebound in the fourth quarter as PC makers prepare for holiday shoppers. Third-quarter shipments rose to 16.7 million units from 14.4 million in the year-ago quarter, according to IDC. U.S. shipments rose 12% to 6.85 million from 6.14 million a year ago, IDC said. Dataquest Corp. reported similar growth for the quarter and said it continues to expect 20% growth for the year. IDC is predicting worldwide growth of about 17% in the fourth quarter and U.S. shipments to rise 20%.