Worldwide PC shipments are forecast to total 202.1 million units in 2005, a 10.2 percent increase from 2004, according to the latest market research by Gartner Inc.
Previously, the Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner projected worldwide PC shipments would increase 9.9 percent.
Worldwide mobile PC shipments, which comprise nearly 30 percent of all PC shipments, are expected to grow 26.5 percent this year, while desktop units are now forecast to grow 4.6 percent.
“Mobile PCs are continuing to attract more new users as mobile prices fall and wireless becomes more pervasive,” said George Shiffler, principal analyst for client platforms research at Gartner, in a statement. “Growing numbers of users are replacing their old desktops with more portable mobiles, and this is one of several factors helping to boost mobile PC growth."
Further, Gartner believes there are few new technology drivers that could help stimulate PC sales this year.
Dual-core processors will attract some attention, but are expected to mostly pique the interest of techies and early adopters, plus, many applications that take full advantage of dual-core capabilities are still being developed and won’t be available until next year at the earliest, Gartner reported.
Replacement activity has helped drive double-digit PC growth over the last two years, but that is expected to begin to wane this year.
“Professional replacement activity is in the process of peaking and will fade rapidly over the rest of the year,” Shiffler said. “Meanwhile, home replacement activity is expected to peak early next year and fade more gradually over 2006. This one-two punch will push market growth back into single-digits by next year despite stronger mobile PC growth."