While PC sales continue to slump – and while tablet sales remain relatively buoyant – end-users should not write off PCs as they will, despite the sales declines, continue to play a part in the overall business world for some time to come.
So says Christopher Riley, CEO of notebook and accessories retailer, The Notebook Company.
“PC sales might be declining, but they have been doing so for several years – and yet they remain important tools in the business world. This is not about to change overnight.”
Riley’s viewpoint was corroborated by IDC. In a recent report IDC declared that it “continues to believe that PCs will have an important role in this new era of computing, especially among business users”.
Ryan Reith, programme manager for IDC’s Mobility Trackers said the growth in tablet sales and the decline in PC sales marks a “significant change” in consumer attitudes about computing devices and their associated ecosystems and applications.
He adds, “For many consumers, a tablet is a simple and elegant solution for core use cases that were previously addressed by the PC.”
Though Apple has led the tablet revolution, market expansion is largely being controlled by low-cost Android devices.
Tablet prices are also coming down, which makes them more affordable for end users – who will, therefore buy more, said Riley.
There is also a major shift developing in the tablet market revolving around screen sizes.
“Tablets under 8-inches, like the iPad mini, are expected to overtake their larger-size counterparts when it comes to total shipments.”