The
personal computer slump is here to stay. The industry observers predict
that shipments of personal computers will decline by 1.3% this year, on
top of a 3.7% decline last year. Talking about numbers, approximately
345 million computers will be shipped in 2013.
Unfortunately,
Windows 8 failed to rekindle interest in personal computers and the
industry experts think that the lukewarm reception of Microsoft’s new
operating system will keep plaguing the market. In the meantime, the
users are still going after tablets, while Microsoft has had little luck
pushing Windows RT and Windows 8 in the tablet space.
According to the estimations of the market observers, sales of desktop
computers are expected to slow down in all markets. However, sales of
portable PCs might increase in emerging markets. In other words, it’s
quite good news for the producers of mid range and entry level laptops,
as well as to some extent AMD, slated to introduce some very competitive
low-end APUs soon. Nevertheless, it is still sad news for both Intel
and AMD, because they will not cash in on the tablet craze in 2013.
According to IDC vice president Loren Loverde, increase in emerging
markets has also slowed considerably. He also pointed out that the
consumers are still choosing more portable alternatives over personal
computers (tablets). Despite the fact that the PC makers do not consider
tablets – with limited local storage, file system, and lesser focus on
traditional productivity as functional competitors to personal
computers, they are still winning consumer dollars, offering mobility
and consumer appeal nevertheless. The only good news is that sales are
predicted to pick up in the end of 2013, with Microsoft cutting support
for Windows XP.
