IDG: Windows 8 and tablets responsible for decline in PC sales

Computer vendors will sell less PCs  for the second year in a row. This year they will sell less desktops, laptops and net-books than in 2012.  According to research company IDG this is caused by the limited enthusiasm about Windows 8 and the increasing popularity of tablets.

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In 2012, for the first time in history, sales of PCs declined. In that year there were 3.7% less PCs sold, this year it's expected that there will be a decline of 1.3%. According to the researchers the reasons for the decline are Windows 8, the price of touchscreens, the financial crisis and the ongoing increase of popularity of tablets. Microsoft's new operating system also didn't meet expectations in the last quarter of 2012 and didn't give a boost of sales of PCs.

The new Windows version is heavily targeted at touchscreens but due to limited availability and the relative high price of the screens most consumers avoid them. Also Ultrabooks, thin and light laptops, haven't been contributing to additional growth. The IDG researchers do expect that Windows 8 will become more popular in the second half of this year.

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