PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
PC shipments are expected to fall another 6 per cent during 2014, following the harshest decline on record for 2013.
IDC reported that worldwide PC shipments fell 9.8 per cent in 2013 – less severely than the previously predicted decline of 10.1 per cent, but still the worst drop ever recorded.
The decline is expected to ease up a little in 2014, total PC shipments projected to fall by 6.1 per cent, from 315.1 million in 2013 to 295.9 million this year.
Going ahead to 2018, the decline is expected to slow even further, a drop of 0.2 per cent estimated.
"Emerging markets used to be a core driver of the PC market, as rising penetration among large populations boosted overall growth," said Loren Loverde, VP of IDC’s worldwide PC trackers.
"At the moment, however, we’re seeing emerging regions more affected by a weak economic environment as well as significant shifts in technology buying priorities."
"We do expect these regions to recover in the medium term and perform better than mature regions, but growth is expected to stabilise near zero percent, rather than driving increasing volumes as we saw in the past."
Emerging markets were among the worst areas for PC shipments, falling 11.3 per cent in 2013 and forecasted to drop another 7.8 per cent in 2014.
"2014 will remain a challenging year for PC vendors in Asia as a cautious economic outlook means consumers will prioritise device purchases," added Andi Handoko, research manager for client devices at IDC Asia Pacific.
"At the same time, tectonic changes in politics will affect commercial spending in some of the major countries, like India, Indonesia, and Thailand, which are due to hold elections this year."
"The region is also seeing a void in public sector spending this year after huge education deals seen in India and Malaysia last year failed to materialise."
Image of PC decline courtesy of Shutterstock.co.uk
