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PC Sales Slump Over Economic Crisis
nandemoari writes "The damage isn't just limited to the United States. Shipments of PCs in Europe, the Mid-East, and Africa dipped to records posted around the turn of the century. It was even worse in Asia, which according to Gartner, posted its worst growth rate ever — just 1.8 per cent.
Within the industry, desktops took the hardest hit, as was expected. Sales of non-portable computers were down about 16 per cent as consumers opted instead for the rising 'netbook' and similar hybrids. That fact alone is troubling for PC makers, given that $300-$500 netbooks offer a far lower profit margin than more expensive and more powerful laptops and desktops."
* Sales Slump Over Economic Crisis
* = Insert nearly anything here
No people are buying netbooks. The cheapest netbook on the market is more powerfull than the computer I had only a few years ago. Do most people need more for what they use a computer for.
If the population grew faster than 1.8%, then this is actually a decline. It's no different than if the inflation rate is 3%, but your salary grew just 1% -- you're technically making less money this year, even if your paycheck has a larger number on it.
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It could also just be that people have their computers already and are being content with them. You would expect the numbers to dwindle as people buy less. If I already have a desktop, why do I need another?
I think this is a big part of it. I haven't noticed the laptop craze as much myself. Most people I know still use desktops (heck I have a laptop but don't use it unless I absolutely have to).
The lifespan of a computer has changed though. Back in the early days you basically got 2 years out of a computer and then it needed replacing (heck I remember almost busting out laughing when I was a teenager and a guy had me work on his daughter's school computer. He mentioned that "I don't know why it's acting up. I just had a guy completely redo it not more than 2 years ago!").
Today though, even a really, really old computer still gets onto the internet just fine. My parents are using a 1200Mhz system with 512MB of RAM. My sister uses a 700mhz system with 256MB of RAM. Both still work just fine for what they need. I know of countless other people who just use the computer as a web browser (and even most email is web based now so you can't really mention it as a separate app) and are dealing with computers 5 to 10 years old just fine.
I think we've basically hit that plateau where computers have become like cars. Most people have one. They don't really become completely obsolete for basic tasks anymore. I think new sales will gradually slip to hobbyists, rich people, and replacements for broken systems. With the increasingly harsh economic times it's only hastening the arrival of an event that was going to happen anyways.
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