Sales for PCs have considerably dropped for the fifth quarter in a row, and decreased by more than 10% since last year, a research firm has found.
Global personal computers are reportedly less in demand, as shipments totalled a dismal 76 million units in the second quarter, which was a 10.9% drop since the previous year. The drop is allegedly the longest duration of decline the industry has ever seen, according to research firm Gartner.
The finger is largely being pointed at the availability of inexpensive tablets, whose popularity has grown a huge amount in recent years. Many people are deferring their purchase of a PC or abandoning it altogether, and opting for a tablet due to the fact that they are affordable and easier to use.
Equally, in May the large technology brand Dell reported a 79% drop in net profits due to the ever increasing market of tablets and smart phones. Though other aspects of the business saw an increase in net profits, PCs were found to be down by nearly a tenth. The brand is not only finding it difficult to compete with its other PC businesses, but finding it difficult to compete with more widely used devices.
Though the US’s PC sales imply a potential improvement in the market, experts claim a lot more needs to be done to make these products appeal to a mass audience. Price points have been driven down, and touch screens have been embraced, but according to authorities within the industry companies need to launch products that are more aesthetically appealing and in line with tablet and smart phone styles.
