Despite Tablet Frenzy, PC Shipments on Pace to Grow 4.4 Percent, Gartner Says
Between low-cost tablets like Amazon's Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet, and the recent unveiling of Apple's new iPad model, it's quickly becoming apparent that we're living in a tablet PC world. But don't despair, traditional PCs aren't about to go the way of the dodo. On the contrary, PC shipments will grow 4.4 percent in 2012, according to Gartner's crystal ball.
Gartner predicts worldwide PC shipments will reach 368 million units by the end of the year, and more than 400 million in 2013.
"PC shipments will remain weak in 2012, as the PC market plays catch up in bringing a new level of innovation that consumers want to see in devices they purchase," said Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner. "The real question is whether Windows 8 and ultrabooks will create the compelling offering that gets the earlier adopter of devices excited about PCs again."
According to Gartner, Intel's Ultrabook initiative will give PC shipments a shot in the arm in the latter half of 2012, "however, PCs will face more competition as we see new media tablets based on operating systems from Android and Microsoft, as well as the new iPad."
Despite Gartner's pessimistic spin on all of this, growth is growth, and as PC enthusiasts, we take it as a positive sign that the segment is on pace to grow 4.4 percent during a time when the tablet frenzy is at an all-time high. How about you?
Gartner predicts worldwide PC shipments will reach 368 million units by the end of the year, and more than 400 million in 2013.
"PC shipments will remain weak in 2012, as the PC market plays catch up in bringing a new level of innovation that consumers want to see in devices they purchase," said Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner. "The real question is whether Windows 8 and ultrabooks will create the compelling offering that gets the earlier adopter of devices excited about PCs again."
According to Gartner, Intel's Ultrabook initiative will give PC shipments a shot in the arm in the latter half of 2012, "however, PCs will face more competition as we see new media tablets based on operating systems from Android and Microsoft, as well as the new iPad."
Despite Gartner's pessimistic spin on all of this, growth is growth, and as PC enthusiasts, we take it as a positive sign that the segment is on pace to grow 4.4 percent during a time when the tablet frenzy is at an all-time high. How about you?
