Smartphones and tablets have been around for quite a few years, but that doesn’t mean we’ve seen their full impact on the market just yet. In fact, data published by research firm Gartner just this week has revealed a significant decline in worldwide PC sales that can easily be attributed to smaller, simpler computing options. There’s still an interest in the time-tested technology, but worldwide PC shipments dropped 10.9 percent during the quarter to 76 million units.
The source notes that this is the fifth consecutive quarter of diminished shipments, leading to the "longest duration of decline in the PC market's history." That’s not exactly a good trend for PC manufacturers, as all regions are being included in these figures. However, it’s companies like Apple that are likely reaping the rewards.
"We are seeing the PC market reduction directly tied to the shrinking installed base of PCs, as inexpensive tablets displace the low-end machines used primarily for consumption in mature and developed markets," said Gartner principal analyst Mikako Kitagawa.
Not only are tablets growing in popularity, but many people are also looking to the inexpensive options as their primary computing devices.
"In emerging markets, inexpensive tablets have become the first computing device for many people, who at best are deferring the purchase of a PC," he continued. "This is also accounting for the collapse of the mini notebook market."
We’ve seen a trend similar in the video game industry. Major video game developers have been forced to move over to tablets and phones to develop games at a cheaper cost, leading many people to believe that the upcoming console cycle will be the last. It’s the popular thought these days, but thankfully, there are many publishers and industry members who argue otherwise.
