Hence, her old 386 PC became a mere typewriter. When Legend Co. began batch production of computers eight years ago, the country's annual PC sales volume was 80,000 units. But it soared to 1.15 million in 1995 and 3.5 million last year, ranking sixth in the world. This year, China is expected to move into fourth place in the world by topping the sales of Britain and France. Growing at this rate, the annual sales volume is expected to reach 8-10 million computers by the year 2000, forming a challenge to Japan which now holds the world's second place.
Families are the chief buyers.
China now has more than 200 brands of home computers, although most ordinary Chinese normally buy a compatible PC without a brand name assembled by small companies. Meanwhile, products of major domestic computer producers, such as Legend and Great Wall, are also gaining favor because of their fine quality and comparatively low price. Their market share has reached 39 percent. Foreign brands, such as IBM and Compaq, occupy only 21 percent of the market due to their high price, though they are superior in performance and have advanced technology. But the situation is changing.