According to the International Data Corporation, sales in this quarter have gone down to as much as 11.8 percent when compared to last year’s data. This accounts for 66.1 million units sold excluding tablets.
According to researchers, several factors have contributed to this decline. The strong dollar is one of the reasons as it has contributed to a hike in prices overseas. This has reduced demand amongst overseas consumers and businesses alike.
Worldwide sales went down after Windows announced the dismissal of its support for the XP operating system last year. Now, with Windows 10 about to hit the markets, shops want to keep their inventory clear of outdated technology.
However, the decline in sales has given a much-needed boost to system and component makers.
Analysts from the research firm, Gartner, have indicated a decline of about 4.4 percent for the year overall. They have also said that sales should rise again next year in light of the Windows upgrade.
So far, IDC and Gartner have reported a decline of 11.8 percent and 9.8 percent in PC shipments compared to the numbers last year. The numbers are for this year’s second quarter.
Tech vendors have warned that Microsoft’s release of Windows 10 can do more harm than good to the industry. Amongst the many issues, one of them is Microsoft’s offer for a free upgrade for Windows 8.1 and 7 users during the initial three months.
Due to this offer, most users will simply upgrade their operating system, instead of buying a new system with Windows 10. This will extend the life of the system by at least another three months. And developers have also responded to this change in customer behaviour, as more and more apps and now written for the browser, rather than the Windows operating system.
However, IDC’s Worldwide PC Trackers and Forecasting unit vice president, Loren Loverde, said, “We’re expecting the Windows 10 launch to go relatively well, though many users will opt for a free OS upgrade rather than buying a new PC.”
Loverde added that competition from phones and two-in-one devices remains a major issue but sales should still pick up. Loverde predicts an improvement or at least a stabilization in sales moving forward.
