Tablet shipments speed ahead, threaten to lap the PC

Tablet shipments speed ahead, threaten to lap the PC:
Despite IDC's report of a marginally better than expected outcome for PC sales last quarter, the personal computer is still in big trouble. Gartner's latest projections of electronic device shipments for 2013 predict an 11.2% drop for traditional PC sales down to 303 million units in 2013 and an 8.4% drop for the entire PC market. On the other hand, tablet shipments are expected to grow by a monstrous 53.4% this year to 184 million units. Growth in the tablet market is expected to be even larger in 2014 as tablet sales come closer than ever to overtaking PC sales. In fact, the margin between PC and tablet shipments is expected to close from a nearly 120 million unit deficit to just over 18 million units by next year. Although the significant losses in the PC market are worrisome and mobile phone shipments are finally beginning to slow down, "worldwide combined shipments of devices" are still expected to see a 4.2% increase in 2013. Gartner's full press release follows below.

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