Global PC shipments are expected to continue trending lower this year, dropping 1.3 percent from a year earlier, as tablet computers gain in popularity, a market research firm said.
International Data Corp (IDC) said in a report that global PC shipments are expected to reach 345.8 million units this year, down from 350.4 million units last year, as Windows 8-based devices have failed to revive the market.
Last year, PC shipments fell 3.7 percent from a year earlier, reflecting disappointing holiday sales, lackluster market reception of Microsoft’s new operating system and an economic slowdown, IDC said.
In the desktop PC segment, shipments are expected to fall 4.3 percent this year from a year earlier to 142.1 million units, while shipments of portable PCs are likely to edge up 0.9 percent to 203.8 million units, it said.
IDC said the PC business is still looking forward to the launch of new models to stir up buyers’ interest and hopes it can take advantage of the updated devices to drive growth in the market.
“Growth in emerging regions has slowed considerably, and we continue to see constrained PC demand as buyers favor other devices for their mobility and convenience features,” IDC analyst Loren Loverde wrote. “We still don’t see tablets as functional competitors to PCs, but they are winning consumer dollars with mobility and consumer appeal nevertheless.”
PC shipments are expected to rise 0.6 percent to 207.1 million units this year in emerging markets, but fall 4 percent to 138.7 million units in mature markets, IDC said.
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