PC sales boosted by portables

Despite worries over the state of the economy; PC sales are expected to grow by 12.8 per cent during 2008 to reach 302 million units, according to the latest figures from IDC’s worldwide quarterly PC tracker.

Citing continued demand from the portable PC sector, the report says it expects growth to continue at above 11 per cent during 2009, before dipping to high single-figure growth through to 2012 when the next version of Windows is expected to launch.

The value of shipments are expected to rise by 7.8 per cent during 2008 to nearly $280 billion (£138 billion).

Shipments are expected to hit 426 million units in 2012, while value is expected to hit $330 billion (£163 billion), after rising four per cent every year from 2009.

"The deteriorating economic environment can certainly put a damper on PC growth," says Loren Loverde, director of IDC’s worldwide quarterly PC tracker.

"However, fourth quarter growth was the fastest since mid 2005 and we should see continued portable adoption and PC acquisition by both commercial and consumer segments.

"Replacements in mature regions supported by ongoing rapid growth in new users in emerging regions will add to pervasive technology evolution and falling prices to sustain growth."

"Lower cost consumer notebooks continue to drive PC market growth in all regions around the world," adds Bob O’Donnell, IDC vice president for clients and displays.

"Consumers are increasingly seeing notebooks as essential personal communication and information gathering tools and we expect that will continue to drive growth and higher PC penetration ratios for several years to come."