Trends to Tablets

Worldwide PC shipments totaled 64.8 million units in the first quarter of 2016, a 9.6 percent decline from the first quarter of 2015, according to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc. This was the sixth consecutive quarter in which PC shipments declined and the first time in the last ten years that shipment volumes fell below 65 million units.

PCs are not being adopted in new households as they were in the past, especially in emerging markets. In these markets, smartphones are the priority.

“The deterioration of local currencies against the U.S. dollar continued to play a major role in PC shipment declines. Our early results also show there was an inventory buildup from holiday sales in the fourth quarter of 2015,” said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner.

It doesn’t look like the global PC market will find its way back to its glory days. Political and economic turmoil in Latin America has impacted on sales there. Also, the strength of the Dollar against other currencies has taken its toll. But those explanations can’t hide the overall trend towards using other devices, such as tablets and smartphones that are very attractive to consumers in developing countries.

Lenovo maintained the No. 1 position in worldwide PC shipments in the first quarter of 2016.  In the last four quarters, Lenovo has shown a double-digit shipment growth in the U.S., while the overall market has declined.

Preliminary Worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 1Q16

Notes: Data includes desk-based PCs, notebook PCs and ultramobile premium. All data is estimated based on a preliminary study. Final estimates will be subject to change. The statistics are based on shipments selling into channels. Source: Gartner Inc.,

First published by Adrian G Stewart at OOKII.Company

Adrian G Stewart