Notebook, Networking Sales Lead Channel's 2Q Growth

North American shipments led all regions with a 7.0 percent increase. Europe was flat compared to last year and Asia increased 6.9 percent.

"This conclusion was frankly a pleasant surprise considering negative indications from a number of offshore suppliers and ODMS and recent weakness in the consumer channel," according to the Raymond James report. The prior six months had seen year-over-year sales growth of 4.0 percent to 4.5 percent, according to the report.

SMB growth was 5 percent compared to last year, while public sector growth was 9.4 percent and large corporate account spending through corporate resellers fell 1.4 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Raymond James analysts.

Solution providers said the numbers appear to be similar to their own businesses.

"The funny thing is, they're right on. In the last 30 days, we've seen a real measurable increase. I don't have an answer why yet. Maybe people just relaxing," said Aristeo Torres, owner and partner of Post Computer Systems in Wilbraham, Mass.

Notebooks and networking equipment were cited as being strong categories.

"Within the portable space, Acer, Sony and Apple have gained share through the channel. Lenovo appears to have ceded significant channel share this quarter. Apple's gains no doubt reflect solid reception to its new MacBook, especially considering the company's normal favoring of the direct channel," the report stated.

HP's notebook share was stable in the quarter, according to the report.

Torres said Post Computer's notebooks and networking business also is growing.

"Our business networking is still on target with what it's always been. Our home-based networking is taking off," he said. "As far as notebooks, Acer is picking up and we're starting to run with it, especially in fights with Dell. It fills a niche price-point wise."