International Data Corporation (IDC) cut its forecast for US personal computer sales this year because of reduced spending by government agencies and Microsoft Corporation's delayed launch of its new Vista operating system.
IDC predicts growth this year of 6.7 percent to 68.2 million PCs shipped.
That's down from a forecast last November of 8.7 percent growth to 69.5 million PCs, IDC said on Monday.
Schools and government offices won't buy as many PCs as previously thought, said Loren Loverde, an IDC analyst. Some consumers will put off buying PCs until the first quarter of next year because Microsoft is delaying its new operating system.
Loverde doesn't expect people to switch to PCs from Apple Computer Inc.
"Microsoft and PC makers are going to do everything possible [to not lose customers]," he said.
Microsoft said on Tuesday last week that its Vista operating system would not be ready until early next year. The previous launch date was November.
The latest IDC forecast predicts worldwide PC growth of 10.5 percent this year, down from a prior prediction of 10.6 percent.
IDC increased its forecast for next year to 10.7 percent growth and predicts a 10.5 percent gain in 2008.
PC shipments grew at about 15 percent from 2003 to last year, Loverde said.
US PC shipments rose 9.6 percent to 63.9 million units last year. Worldwide they rose 16 percent to 207.6 million units.
"We expect to slow down to longer-term, more stable growth rates," Loverde said.
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