The rise represents the 13th consecutive quarter of revenue growth.
Global external (ECB) disk storage revenue increased 1.9% during the fourth quarter of 2012 (Q412) to $6bn, compared to revenuezs of $5.9bn generated during the corresponding quarter in 2011.
According to a report by Garnter EMC, Hitachi and NetApp passed revenues generated during Q4 2011. .
Gartner research vice president, Roger Cox, said the fourth quarter 2012 results represent the 13th consecutive quarter of revenue growth.
"However, the anemic year-over-year 1.9 percent growth is a reflection of the dour macroeconomics in North America and in Europe, as well as a slowing economy in the Asia/Pacific region," Cox said.
Dell, HP and IBM lost their market share during the quarter and their new product year-over-year revenue gains have been deficient.
During 2012, the global disk storage market rose 4.9% to $22.3bn compared to $21.2bn generated during 2011.
During the year EMC and Hitachi/HDS topped the disk storage market, while NetApp and Dell also achieved year-over-year revenue gains.
Dell reported stronger sales during the first half of 2012, while NetApp strengthened its market share in the second half of 2012, the report said.
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