IDC: PC Growth to Slow to 0.9% This Year

Computerworld: Market research firm IDC now expects the PC industry to grow only 0.9 percent this year, with global shipments of 367 million units. Last year was also weak, with growth of 1.7 percent. However, the firm predicts that growth could climb to 6.5 percent in 2013.

The introduction of Windows 8 in the fall could provide a boost to the industry, but not immediately. “Product updates later this year should revive PC growth, but it will be a more pronounced competitive environment and there is likely to be some confusion among buyers about new product features as well as where they will get the most for their money,” noted the report.