PC shipments will grow 4.4% in 2012: Gartner

Worldwide PC shipments are on pace to grow to total 368 million units in 2012, a 4.4% increase from the previous calendar year, technology researcher Gartner has said.

PC shipments are forecast to see higher growth by the end of 2013, when shipments are expected to reach more than 400 million units, it said in a statement.

"PC shipments will remain weak in 2012, as the PC market plays catch up in bringing a new level of innovation that consumers want to see in devices they purchase," said Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner.

"The real question is whether Windows 8 and ultrabooks will create the compelling offering that gets the earlier adopter of devices excited about PCs again," he added.

In addition, while the economic environment and supply issues played a key part in the weaker PC market, it was a lesser concern to PC vendors compared to the far greater issue of changing consumer dynamics.

Gartner analysts said that 2011 redefined the landscape of the device market.

"The use of applications such as e-mail, social networking and Internet access, that were traditionally the domain of the PC, are now being used across media tablets and smartphones, making these devices in some cases more valued and attractive propositions," said Atwal.

"Consumers will now look at a task that they have to perform, and they will determine which device will allow them to perform such a task in the most effective, fun and convenient way. The device has to meet the user needs not the other way round," he added.