Global PC shipments are showing the steepest decline ever, a market intelligence firm reported today.
International Data Corporation (IDC) said shipments totalled 76.3 million units in the first quarter of 2013, down 13.9% when compared with the first quarter of 2012. The decline was forecast to be 7.7%.
The launch of Windows 8 failed to boost sales of desktop computers, as consumers increasingly choose tablets and smartphones over traditional PCs.
“At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market,” said Bob O’Donnell, a vice-president at IDC.
Attempts to offer innovations, like touchscreens and ultraslim systems, have made PCs more costly and have failed to win consumers over.
