The global devices market is projected to reach 2.35 billion units in 2013, a 5.9 per cent increase from 2012, according to a study by Gartner.
The research and analyst firm terms personal computers (PCs), tablets and mobile phones under the devices category.
The market is being driven by the sales of tablets, smartphones and to a lesser extent, ultramobiles, as PC shipments are on the decline.
Worldwide traditional PC (desk-based and notebook) shipments are forecast to total 305 million units in 2013, a 10.6 per cent decline from 2012 , while the PC market, including ultramobiles, is forecast to decline 7.3 per cent in 2013.
Tablet shipments are expected to grow 67.9 per cent, with shipments reaching 202 million units, while the mobile phone market will grow 4.3 per cent, with a volume of more than 1.8 billion units.
Customers’ needs
The sharp decline in PC sales recorded in the first quarter was the result of a change in preferences of consumers’ wants and needs, but also an adjustment in the channel to make room for new products hitting the market in the second half of 2013.
“Consumers want anytime-anywhere computing that allows them to consume and create content with ease, and also share and access that content from a different portfolio of products. Mobility is paramount in both mature and emerging markets,” said Carolina Milanesi, Research Vice-President at Gartner.
Ultramobiles
Demand for ultramobiles (which includes Chromebooks, thin and light clamshell designs, and slate and hybrid devices running Windows 8) will come from upgrades of both notebooks and premium tablets, such as the Apple iPad or Galaxy Tab10.1.