PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
The latest data from analysis firm IDC reveals that Q4 2012 marked a drop in year-on-year sales for the PC market.
PC shipments hit just under 90 million shipments worldwide, but that falls 6.4 per cent short of the number achieved at the same time in 2011.
IDC’s data revealed that amongst those PCs sold, HP retained the top spot as the world’s leading PC vendor, which achieved its first year-over-year growth in Asia for the last four quarters.
Discussing the data, senior analyst for IDC, Jay Chou, said: "Although the third quarter was focused on the clearing of Windows 7 inventory, preliminary research indicates the clearance did not significantly boost the uptake of Windows 8 systems in Q4."
"Lost in the shuffle to promote a touch-centric PC, vendors have not forcefully stressed other features that promote a more secure, reliable, and efficient user experience. As Windows 8 matures, and other corresponding variables such as Ultrabook pricing continue to drop, hopefully the PC market can see a reset in both messaging and demand in 2013."
Whilst disappointing, the results are largely unsurprising given the difficulties the humble PC has faced throughout the course of 2012, with consumers switching to tablets and other mobile devices in favour of the traditional PC setup.
Want to receive up-to-the-minute tech news straight to your inbox? Then click here to sign up for the completely free PCR Daily Digest and Newsflash email services. You can also follow PCR on Twitter and Facebook.
