PC sales outlook haze Microsoft Intel faces great challenges

According to market research firm IDC, PC sales are expected to grow again in the second half of this year, driven by Microsoft Windows 8 and Intel Ultrabook, but the long-term outlook is not very good.

IDC pointed out that global PC shipments in 2011 increased by 1.8% year-on-year; in 2012 it will increase by 5% year-on-year, and will mainly occur in the second half of the year. Technology users postponed PC purchase plans because they favored tablets such as the Apple iPad. The iPad has sold 3 million units since it was listed on March 16 this year.

IDC analyst Jay Chou said: “2012 and 2013 will bring huge challenges for Microsoft and PC makers. Windows 8 and ultra ultrabooks will be a crucial step to regain PC dominance, but will be flat The integration of the computer experience into the PC will bear the risk of a trial and error phase. Therefore, the market is likely to experience slight growth in the short term."

The bigger question that arises now is whether the technology buyers of consumers and companies are patient with Wintel's trial and error. At present, PC sales have been suppressed. The following are some of the influencing factors:

Windows 8 has put the PC in a stand-by position.

· Windows 8 introduces a new user interface that sets at least a threshold for user learning.

Microsoft is merging tablet and PC experiences.

· As Windows 8 has not yet officially released, the outlook for ultrabooks is not clear.

The above factors will have an impact on PC sales in the second half of this year.

IDC expects strong PC sales in emerging markets, but PC sales in mature markets will be weak. The growth of PC shipments in emerging markets in 2013 was 10.8%, but the increase in PC shipments in mature markets was only 7.8%. The situation of emerging markets over mature markets will continue until the end of 2016.