By Gartner's count, Apple comfortably snatched third place away from Acer, with a 65,000-unit lead. However, IDC claims Apple didn't quite make third place, getting out-shipped by Acer by just 2,200 units. The two research firms peg Apple's U.S. market share at 8.5% and 7.8%, respectively, although they both agree the Mac maker failed to make even fifth place on the global stage. At the top of the podium, Dell maintained its position with a 32% U.S. market share, while HP was in second place with around 25% of shipments. Worldwide, the two PC giants' positions were reversed as usual, with HP nabbing 18.9% of the market and Dell securing 16.4%, according to IDC.