Tablets are already impacting computer sales worldwide.
The popularization of devices and the instability of the world economy led to a revision of the global PC sales projection by the Gartner institute: the estimate for 2011, which was a 9,4% increase, fell to 3,8%.
Instability in major world economies, such as the United States and European countries, and the popularization of tablets have led to a revision of the global computer sales projection by the Gartner research institute. Previously, the estimate for the PC market in 2011 was a 9,4% increase, a percentage that has been cut to 3,8%.
Gartner's director of analysis, Ranjit Atwal, explains that the original expectation was that the global economy would stabilize in the second half of the year and consumers would upgrade their computers. However, in addition to the shift in economic direction, PCs are losing ground to tablets and smartphones when it comes to purchasing decisions.
According to Gartner's forecast, tablet sales will more than triple this year, to around 70 million units, while smartphone sales will increase by 57,7%, to 468 million units globally.
The markets that have been sustaining the PC industry are emerging markets, such as China, Russia, and Brazil, which in turn are not immune to the rise of tablets. According to the research institute, the launch of these devices in these markets at lower prices could change consumer behavior and affect PC sales. For January 2012, the forecast for PC sales is 352 million units, 54 million units less than the projection for December 2011.
Gartner also suggests that a boost for the computer industry is only expected by the end of 2012, and that is, if the major players start offering thinner and lighter notebooks at lower prices. The analyst cites recent industry movements that point to the difficulties faced by the segment, such as HP's spin-off of its PC unit; Acer's announcement of a projected loss for this year; and Dell's cut in its revenue estimate for 2011.
According to Atwal, these companies need to change their business model, since volumes are no longer as high as they used to be, and evolve towards a more diversified line of equipment, such as phones, tablets, and televisions. "Apple has been showing the way, but we still don't know if other companies will be able to do the same," said Ranjit Atwal.