Tablets undermine PC sales

Q1 2011 PC sales fall well short of Gartner's estimate

PC sales are on the decline due to increased interest in tablet devices, according to research firm Gartner.

A 1.1 per cent decline in PC shipments indicates potentially low sales throughout 2011, rather than just a normal seasonal slowdown, said the firm.

Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner, said the popularity of tablet devices and consumer devices has caused weak demand for consumer PCs.

"Low prices for consumer PCs, which have long stimulated growth, no longer attract buyers. Instead, consumers are turning their attention to media tablets and other consumer electronics.

"With the launch of the iPad 2 in February, more consumers either switched to buying an alternative device, or simply held back from buying PCs. We're investigating whether this trend is likely to have a long-term effect on the PC market."

In the first quarter of 2011, worldwide PC shipments totalled 84.3 million units, more than one per cent less than the same quarter last year and falling way short of Gartner's original estimate of a three per cent increase.