Global shipments of personal computers (PCs) have been declined by eight to nine percent in sixth straight quarter amid consumer favorability bend towards cheaper tablet computers and smartphones.
According to News.com.au, market research firm IDC said the PC market fell nearly 8 percent, to 81.6 million units, while Gartner Inc. put the decline at almost 9 per cent, to 80.3 million.
IDC speculated that the PC market will hit bottom sometime next year, but will start recovering only in 2015 as companies and consumers will start replacing ageing PCs.
However, Gartner claimed that this year will be the worst for PCs, with flat shipments next year and single-digit percentage growth in 2015.
IDC said the U.S. market was almost unchanged, while Gartner said it rose by 3.5 percent.
IDC said Acer suffered from weak consumer spending while Asus was hurt by a lack of corporate customers.
