Gartner lowers worldwide PC shipments forecast

Another market research authority appears to be decreasing its PC projection, as Gartner recently announced it expects the amount of PCs to increase 9.3 percent in 2011, down from the previous estimate of 10.5 percent.

Overall, Gartner expects worldwide PC units to reach 385 million units, due to several factors. According to the report, economic uncertainty and a clear reason for people to replace their current PCs are contributing to the lower projection.

Another development are tablets, which continue to be adopted at an astonishing pace. However, Gartner expects the impact on PCs to be minimal as a result of tablets, though the devices did factor into the recent projection.

"Media tablets, such as the iPad, have also impacted mobile growth, but more because they have caused consumers to delay new mobile PC purchases rather than directly replacing aging mobile PCs with media tablets," said Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner.

A separate report by IDC also concludes that worldwide PC shipments will slow in 2011. According to its report, PC shipments will only increase by 4.2 percent this year, competing against such products as netbooks and tablets, as well as economic hardships.