IDC: PC sales growth to slow as emerging markets struggle
Emerging markets--once the growth engine of PC sales--are showing signs of strain, according to an IDC report projecting sluggish demand for 2009.
IDC on Wednesday said in a statement that it expects worldwide PC shipments to grow 3.8 percent in 2009, well below previous projections. IDC expects PC sales to jump 10.9 percent in 2010 with 12 percent growth or more in 2011 or 2012. Those out-year projections have a high degree of uncertainty.
What's notable in IDC's take is that emerging markets in Latin America, Central Europe, the Middle East and Africa are going to put the brakes on PC demand. Anyone that has listened to a hardware vendor earnings call knows so-called BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries get a lot of attention.
Like other research firms, IDC noted that mini-notebooks/netbooks will drive sales volume but hurt revenue and profits in the industry.
Here's a look at the unit projections:
And the growth by region:
