As consumers are expected to do more of their computing needs on tablets and/or smartphones, worldwide PC shipments are expected to descend by 7.8% in 2013, according to new research published by International Data Corporation (IDC). Shipments of PCs, including desktop, mini notebook and other portable PCs, first began declining in 2012.
Some of the shipment decline will be due to people delaying PC purchases, says IDC. The firm says it expects to see some replacements happen in 2014, especially in the commercial segment as support for Windows XP expires.
According to the research firm, PC shipment volume is expected to reach 333 million in 2017, less than the 349 million shipped in 2012. IDC cites 2011, at 363 million units, as PC shipments' peak year.
"Many users are realizing that everyday computing, such as accessing the Web, connecting to social media, sending emails, as well as using a variety of apps, doesn't require a lot of computing power or local storage," said Loren Loverde, program vice president of the report at IDC, in a press release. "Instead, they are putting a premium on access from a variety of smaller devices with longer battery life, an instant-on function, and intuitive touch-centric interfaces."
IDC gathers the PC market data in 80 countries, including the U.S., by vendor, form factor, brand, processor brand and speed, sales channel and user segment. IDC says the research was drawn from historical and forecast trend analysis as well as price band and installed base data.
