Despite some mild improvement in the economic environment
and some new PC models offering Windows 8, PC shipments were down significantly
across all regions compared to a year ago. Fading Mini Notebook shipments have
taken a big chunk out of the low-end market while tablets and smartphones
continue to divert consumer spending. PC industry efforts to offer touch
capabilities and ultraslim systems have been hampered by traditional barriers
of price and component supply, as well as a weak reception for Windows 8. The
PC industry is struggling to identify innovations that differentiate PCs from
other products and inspire consumers to buy, and instead is meeting significant
resistance to changes perceived as cumbersome or costly.
Regional Highlights
United States – The U.S. market had another dismal quarter in
1Q13, contracting -12.7% year on year, with a drop of -18.3% compared to the
fourth quarter of 2012. With total volume falling to 14.2 million, quarterly
shipments reached their lowest level since the first quarter of 2006. With this
latest figure, the U.S. is now in its tenth consecutive quarter of year-on-year
contraction (excluding a brief moment of growth – less than 2% year on year –
in 3Q11).
EMEA – As expected, Europe, Middle East and Africa
(EMEA) remained constrained, posting a stronger double-digit decline than
anticipated in the first quarter of 2013. Results fell short of expectations in
the consumer segment as softness in demand persisted amid a continued shift to
tablets and ongoing budget pressures. Meanwhile, the market response to Windows
8 and touch-enabled devices remained slow, leading to cautious sell-in from
most vendors. Shipments in the commercial market remained constrained as
predicted, following continued economic pressure and lack of major IT renewals.
Japan – PC shipments were in line with expectations
in the first quarter. Some economic improvement is helping to support
commercial replacement demand ahead of the scheduled end of support for Windows
XP next year. However, consumer shipments remained very weak.
Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) (APeJ) – PC shipments in APeJ
declined sharply, dropping a record -12.7% year on year, the first time the
region has experienced a double-digit decline. Although much of the earlier
Windows 7 stock had cleared, a lukewarm reception toward Windows 8 hampered new
shipments. China's inactivity contributed heavily to the decline, as public
sector spending continued to be constrained.
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