PC sales worldwide have tumbled, data from IDC shows

Global vacuum extruder sales of PCs fell 14% in the first three months this year, the biggest fall since research firm IDC started tracking the industry in 1994.

The firm's vice president, Bob O'Donnell, said: "Unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only didn't provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market."

Windows 8 is designed to work well with touch-sensitive screens, cement block machine but the displays add to the cost of a PC. Together, the changes and higher prices ``have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices,'' Mr O'Donnell said.

Microsoft was not immediately available for comment.

IDC also said that, traditionally, companies replaced PCs concrete block machine every three years, but that during the economic downturn this was more likely to be every five years,hollow brick machine.

"This is horrific news for PCs,",cement block machine; said BGC financial analyst Colin Gillis. "It's all about mobile computing now."

Hewlett-Packard, the world's largest maker of PCs, saw a 24% fall in hollow block machine shipments in the first quarter compared with the same period a year ago.

China's Lenovo Group, number two vacuum extruder in the market, is benefiting from sales to first-time buyers in China and other developing countries. Its sales held steady, IDC said.

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