IHS analysts fuel post-PC argument as PC share in DRAM market drops
Summary: Analysts assert that we're in the post-PC era now that the PC share of the DRAM market has made a record drop.
Personal computers accounted for less than half of the worldwide DRAM market share during the second quarter of 2012, according to a new report from market intelligence firm IHS iSuppli. The significance is that this is the first time PCs have ever dropped below the 50 percent mark in this market.
Thus, analysts have jumped on the idea that this is only another piece of evidence that we have moved into a "post-PC era."
That seems even more convincing when you put into perspective the last time that PCs accounted for less than 50 percent, which was in the 1980s when PCs were still new products.
But when you look at the actual numbers from Q2 2012, it's not as if PCs have dropped well below the halfway mark. In fact, PCs accounted for 49 percent of the DRAM market, down from 50.2 percent in Q1.
Nevertheless, IHS analysts argue that this occurance still "symbolizes the decline of the PC market" -- mainly because mobile is getting stronger with the proliferation of smartphones and tablets.
Clifford Leimbach, a memory analyst at IHS, explained further in the report that this doesn't mean the death of PCs, but rather that PCs are simply losing their long-standing dominance along the electronics supply chain as well.
"For DRAM suppliers, the focus in the future increasingly will be on serving the needs of fast-expanding new markets for smartphones and tablets, at the expense of catering to the PC business," he added.
Leimbach also cited the decline of the Wintel alliance between Microsoft and Intel as a contributing factor. Earlier this month, IHS published a report hinting that there are frays in the relationship as both tech giants also try to catch up with the mobile market.
Chart via IHS iSuppli
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Talkback
Intersting...
Of course, I could just reply from one of the 1200 new systems at work.
you do realize there are more than 1202 devices in the world
Device production has clearly overtaken the stagnant PC market.
Total Sales, darling, total sales.
What is the problem here?
Oh, I know, headlines.
The problem here....
KEEP BEING IN DENIAL...
For instance, When the Automobile era dawned, they still made buggy whips for years. After CDs came into vogue, cassettes were still sold for a few years. When the DVD came out, the videocassette business was still around for a couple years after. When MP3 players hit the market, Sony still made CD Walkmans for years afterward.
We have seen this all before...a new technology is ushered in, just as an old one suddenly becomes obsolete. The transition will be hardest for Wintel, but even the largest buggy whip company had to shut its doors one day.
Correct history...
For those of us that remember we were told over 10 years ago that falling laptop prices and rising performance ment the end o the desktop pc; and sure 95% of student machines are laptops and the market diluted, but the PC's are still there - it's not just the power available when you don't have to worry about mobility, but also a psychological aspect - people have work machines, work spaces, some even like desktops.
As others have said, the market will continue to dilite - my Nexus amazes me the way the iPhone did when smart phones were new, but I've got to say the macbook air is my favourite device for 5 years easy - it does everything anywhere.
I think the numbers on the sales front hide a certain underlying truth - mobile devices have a life upto two years - laptops are usually replaced between 3 and 5 and desktops often last 5 years or more between replacement - especially now processing power outstips usage ; how many people know someone with an '06 PC?
The growth in mobile devices doesn't tell the whole story - people aren't buying smart phones to replace laptops - they're buying them additionally, and at a Rate of twice as fast.
Similarly not all tablet sales replace laptops - of course there are many who do replace a laptop with a tablet- that's the point of the devices; more flexibility and choice. And I definatley think this will happen as more poweful and less restrictive tablets come in.
However many people are buying tablets in addition to the laptops; there is a definite case of increaseing numbers of devices per user behind the current numbers. Also bear in min that 3 years ago nobody really bothered with tablets; they've had laptops for over a decade.
A big shift I've been expecting for years - integration of TV and desktop pc. Hopefully we'll see something a bit better than smart tv's in the not too distant future!
The problem is...Post PC
I agree!
Pagan jim
... ignoring the fact that they are all computers.
IHS analysts fuel post-PC argument as PC share in DRAM market drops