Global PC sales see biggest decline in almost two decades

The global sale of PCs has fallen by 14% this year already, the biggest decline reported since IDC industry tracking began in 1994.

A new report from the International Data Corporation IDC shows a 13.9% year on year decline in PC shipments for Q1 2013 – just 76.3 million PCs shipped worldwide, the lowest figure reported in almost two decades.

IDC’s vice president Bob O’Donnell said that the launch of Windows 8 was expected to boost PC sales, however it appears to have actually slowed the market.

“Radical changes to the UI, removal of the familiar Start button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices,” he said.

Whilst PC sales decline, tablet sales are continuing to grow exponentially, as recently reported by research company GfK. Over the yearly period, tablet sales increased by 234%.

BGC financial analysits Colin Gillis said to the BBC that this is “horrific news” for PCs. “It’s all about mobile computing now.”

However, all is not lost for the traditional PC just yet. Though tablet use is at an all-time high – with 27% of the European population using tablets – 74% of Europe still own PCs, as discussed by Oliver Robinson at this year’s Media Playground event.