The iPad is already making a significant dent in PC sales, according to new data from Gartner.
The research firm has revised its estimate for global computer sales in 2010 to 352 million units. While that is still a 14% increase on 2009, its markedly lower than the 363 million that Gartner was forecasting in September.
‘These results reflect marked reductions in expected near-term unit growth based on expectations of weaker consumer demand, due in no small part to growing user interest in media tablets such as the iPad,” said Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner.
And he added that the impact of new devices will only increase.
‘Over the longer term, media tablets are expected to displace around 10% of PC units by 2014,’ Atwal said.
That should be good news for Apple. Not only is it the only significant player in tablet market at the moment, it also has an advantage over other computer makers when it comes to maintaining Mac sales.
‘PCs are still seen as necessities, but the PC industry’s inability to significantly innovate and its over-reliance on a business model predicated on driving volume through price declines are finally impacting the industry’s ability to induce new replacement cycles,’ said George Shiffler, research director at Gartner.
‘As the PC market slows, vendors that differentiate themselves through services and technology innovation rather than unit volume and price will dictate the future.’
