Tablets and Smartphones Cause Decline in PC and Laptop Computer Market

The desktop and laptop personal computer (PC) market is suffering from intense competition from smartphones, and to a lesser extent from

tablet computers. Global PC/laptop shipments were forecasted to reach 263 million units in 2017, down from 270 million units in 2016, according to Gartner. Shipments in 2018 were expected to reach 265 million units and rise to 269 million units in 2019.

Although larger computers such as PCs remain better suited for such tasks as document production, recent sales of smartphones are immense thanks to their mobility. Software and online services available for use on smartphones have advanced dramatically, particularly in terms of mobile apps.

Tablets are important platforms for accessing entertainment, games and news, in addition to business applications. Tablet sales, while still substantial, slowed starting in mid-2014, a trend which continued through 2017. Analysts at IDC estimated that global tablet shipments declined by 5.4% in the in the third quarter of 2017, compared to the same quarter in 2016. Growing demand for smartphones combined with the lengthening replacement cycle of tablets and the strengthening position of traditional PCs suppressed the tablet market. The third quarter of 2017 marked the twelfth consecutive quarter of year-over-year decline. Apple’s iPad remained the market leader, followed by tablets from Samsung and Amazon. iPads and other high-end tablets are challenged by several factors, including 1) some consumers are switching to smartphones with larger than normal screens, eliminating the need for a tablet; 2) for many users, tablets are not “must-have” devices, consequently they may be less likely to trade up for newer tablets to replace old models; and 3) low-priced tablets with ample features are now available from several makers.

Meanwhile, smartphone sales are expected to rise to 1.9 billion units in 2018, according to Gartner, compared to 1.5 billion in 2016. Market leaders are Samsung, Apple and Huawei.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Become a Plunkett Research Online subscriber to gain unlimited access to our massive amount of vital industry data and market research.

✔ 100,000 Industry Statistics
✔ 500 Industries Analyzed for Market Size, Profits and Forecasts
✔ 150,000 Industry Executives Profiled
✔ 25,000 Companies Profiled, Ranked and Analyzed
✔ 1,000 Vital Trends Analyzed, totaling 1,000,000 words

Learn More

How to access Plunkett Research data.

What data challenge can we help you solve today?

Take a Tour

Contact

Testimonials

Tablets and Smartphones Cause Decline in PC and Laptop Computer Market, Business and Industry Trends Analysis

A Representative List of Organizations that Have Used our Research and Products:

How to access Plunkett Research data.

What data challenge can we help you solve today?

Take a Tour

Contact

Testimonials