According to IDC, W. European PCD (Personal Computing Device, covering both traditional PCs and tablets) shipments will total 79.2 million units in 2017, a -2.6% decrease.
The analyst combines desktop PC, notebook and workstation shipments with slate and detachable tablets. Some products, such as convertibles, ultraslims and detachables, are to expand until at least 2021, making 43.3% of the overall PCD market by then, compared with 21.9% at end 2016. This is the result of users across both consumer and enterprise segments going for thinner and lighter devices, instead of traditional solutions.
As a result, the traditional PC market will still decline over the next 5 years, wheras the tablet market will show "some" resilience and stabilise over the forecast period.
The commercial PCD segment is to perform well, with a "slight" decrease by end 2017 before a return to positive growth by 2018 (1.2%). Growth should reach 6.4% in 2020, with SMBs as main driver. On the other hand the consumer segment should decline further until 2021, even if "not significantly." The longer lifespan of devices affects the consumer market, although some new form factors will be adopted, such as convertibles.
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