Apple Inc has become the world's largest vendor of personal computers in the fourth quarter according to research firm Canalys. Apple overtook Hewlett-Packard to gain the top spot.

Apple's rise to the top spot was helped by the growing demand for its iPads as the smartphone and tablet market keeps growing.

According to Canalys, the tablet demand drove the global PC market higher by 16 percent than the previous year. Computer sales hit the 120 million mark in the fourth quarter.

The market also witnessed a fall of 0.4 per cent from the previous year excluding tablets added the research firm.

Apple is in stiff competition against other companies especially arch rival Samsung to gain a large share of the booming tablet and smartphone market.