PC Shipments to Decline in 2012 for the First Time Since Dot-com Bust, Can Windows 8 Save the Day?

The global PC market will see worldwide shipments decline this year, which will mean a drop for the first time in 11 years, according to IHS’ iSuppli. More specifically, the technology research specialist expects a contraction of 1.2 percent: from 352.8 million units in 2011 to just 348.7 million in 2012.

The last such drop was more than a decade ago in the dot-com bust year of 2001. Yet if everything stays on track, we may end up with a huge feeling of déjà vu:

Nevertheless, the year is far from over, and iSuppli hints there is still a chance for the PC industry. The firm asked three questions for the PC market and the rest of 2012, suggesting Windows 8 and ultrabooks may turn the tide, but also noting that mobile devices will likely crush all such chances:

  • How much impact will Windows 8 really have toward boosting the PC market in the fourth quarter?
  • Will continuing global economic concerns neutralize whatever hype or interest has been generated by ultrabooks?
  • Will mobile computing gadgets such as tablets and smartphones win over PCs during the crucial holiday selling season, taking precious consumer dollars and keeping PC sales at bay?

Given how well tablets have been selling this year, it’s too bad they aren’t considered PCs like Microsoft would like them to be. Apple’s iPad sales alone would mean shipments of personal computers this year would be doing just fine.

Still, here’s where iSuppli believes all the hope lies:

There are signs that a strong rebound could still occur in 2013. While IHS has reduced its forecast for them, the new ultrabooks and other ultrathin notebook computers remain viable products with the potential to redraw the PC landscape, and the addition of Windows 8 to the mix could prove potent and irresistible to consumers. Whether a newly configured PC space could then stand up to the powerful smartphone and tablet markets, however, remains to be seen.

Intel and AMD both could have done better during the back-to-school season, meaning their third-quarter outlooks are either flat or down. This has led to many simply looking towards 2013 for a rebound.

Yet I don’t think any of this will depend on the two chip giants. It all comes down to Microsoft, and how hard the software giant will be able to push Windows 8. Look at your calendar, the day of reckoning starts on October 26.

Via: The Next Web

Prateek Panda

Prateek is the Founder of TheTechPanda. He's passionate about technology startups and entrepreneurship and enjoys speaking to new founders every day. Prateek has also been consistently regarded as one of the top marketing experts in the region.

Recent Posts

The AI Editor has arrived: What Human-in-the-Loop publishing & ecommerce really looks like

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept in publishing and e-commerce. It’s here,…

3 days ago

After the artist & the writer it’s the developer’s turn to rethink careers as AI starts coding

The artist and the writer have been living in fear of AI taking over their…

4 days ago

Geek Appeal: New gadgets & apps on the block

The Tech Panda takes a look at recently launched gadgets & apps in the market.…

5 days ago

With top engineers from India in hot demand globally, Ness Digital Engineering champions internal pathways to leadership  

India’s tech and IT sector continues to grow, expected to top $300 billion in fiscal…

5 days ago

NTT debuts ultra-fast IOWN network with cross-border Kabuki performance

Japanese tech giant NTT showcased the latest in Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) technology…

1 week ago

Funding alert: Tech startups that raked in moolah this month

The Tech Panda takes a look at recent funding events in the tech ecosystem, seeking…

1 week ago