PC could see resurgence in 2013 and beyond

Despite constant chatter about the "post-PC" era and pervasive rumors that new devices will replace desktop and laptop computers, the PC market is actually expected to grow in the coming years, according to a report from IDC.

The research firm says the global PC market will grow only 5 percent in 2012, with approximately 383 million PCs expected to ship. However, shipments are forecast to take off once again after the year's end, eventually reaching 528 million units in 2016.

The most notable drivers of the PC market's resurgence are the Ultrabook™ computer and Microsoft's Windows® 8, with the latter expected to be released in late 2012. According to IDC, these releases will "reinvigorate a consumer market that has lost a degree of enthusiasm in recent years."

The portable PC will see the highest volume of shipments in 2012 with 224.8 million units sold worldwide, according to IDC. The research firm predicts desktop PC shipments will reach 157.9 million units this year.

IDC also predicts strong tablet computer sales in the coming years. In an earlier report, the research firm estimated 107.4 million tablets would ship this year, and that figure is expected to grow to 222.1 million in 2016.