According to data from big computer seller Ingram Micro and research firm Endpoint Technologies Associates, PC sales look very strong going into the holidays with particular strength outside the US.

Reuters writes that "sales are being driven by falling component prices, entertainment applications such as games, videos and music, growing demand for portable machines and consumer adoption of Microsoft Corp’s Windows Vista operating system." Improvement in the income of consumers in emerging markets has been helping to drive sales in those regions.

The sales up-tick in Q4 is seen as benefiting Dell (DELL), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Apple (AAPL), and Acer.

Douglas A. McIntyre