PC shipments to fall -6% this year

Global PC shipments are expected to fall -6% in 2014, according to research from the International Data Corporation (IDC).

In 2013, worldwide shipments fell by -9.8%, and while fourth quarter results were slightly better than expected, the outlook for emerging markets has deteriorated as competition from other devices and economic pressures mount.

While emerging regions are expected to recover in the medium term and perform better than mature regions, IDC expects growth to stabalise near zero per cent, rather than driving increasing volumes.

“Emerging markets used to be a core driver of the PC market, as rising penetration among large populations boasted overall growth,” said Loren Loverde, vice president, worldwide PC Trackers.

“At the moment, however, we’re seeing emerging regions more affected by a weak economic environment as well as significant shifts in technology buying priorities.”