Tablets and smartphones hit global PC shipments: down 6.4%

International Data Corp (IDC) have said that global PC shipments in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 are down by 6.4 percent from last year. The figures fell short of IDC expectations and some of the responsibility has to be directed towards the growing popularity and versatility of smartphones and tablets.

This is the first time in more than five years that the PC market has experienced a year on year decline during the holiday season, resulting in an annual decline also. Windows 8 seems to have experienced a very slow adoption rate, and the interface changes are proving unpopular among enthusiast users.

IDC said “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.”

Shipments were down from 95.91 million units to 89.79 million units. IDC had predicted a 4.4 percent drop.

IDC's Jaw 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.”

IDC also added that “consumers as well as PC vendors and distribution channels continued to be diverted from PC sales by ongoing demand for tablets and smartphones.”

Hewlett Packard remained the top vendor for global PC shipments in the fourth quarter but they saw shipments were down 0.6 percent. Lenovo claimed second place with a 8.2 percent growth. Dell in third suffered a whopping 20.8 percent decline and went below the 10 million units per quarter, continuing to lose market share. Acer were in fourth position, shipments dropped 28.2 percent. Asus claimed fifth, reporting a healthy 5.5 percent growth.

Kitguru says: The demand for tablets is still growing.

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