Computer maker Dell has reported an 18 per cent drop in fourth-quarter earnings as consumer sales continue to show weakness, Australian Associated Press reported.

The Texas-based company said it earned $764 million in the quarter, down from $927 million in the previous corresponding period, as revenue increased 2.2 per cent to $16.03 billion.

While consumer revenue dropped two per cent as customers continued to ditch PC's in favour of iPads and other tablet computers, Dell did perform well in Asia-Pacific and Japan, where sales grew 10 per cent, including a 15 per cent surge in China.

Europe, the Middle East and Africa saw an eight per cent increase in sales, while sales in the Americas dropped three per cent.

According to research firm Gartner, Dell is the number three computer maker in the world behind HP and Lenovo.

If Apple's iPads were counted as PCs, Apple would be the world's largest computer maker.