PC shipments will slip in 2012, study says

The recent hardships of the PC market have been well documented. Across the board, industry observers agree that the market is struggling amid the boom of new technology, particularly mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers.

Citing figures from the Chinese news source Commercial Times, DigiTimes reports that the struggles of the PC market are not expected to turn around in 2012, when shipments are likely to decline 0.4 percent. Overall, PC shipments worldwide are expected to hit 363 million units, down from 365 million in 2011.

Desktop computers will see the largest slide out of any PC type. According to the report, desktop shipments will decline by 3 million units. The notebook market is expected to grow, though not by a substantial amount -- only 5 percent.

Tablet computers are cannibalizing many PC sales and will continue to see significant growth in 2012, with shipments expanding an impressive 80 percent to reach 110 million units.

The one bright spot in the PC market at the moment appears to be the Ultrabook™ computer. Though shipment numbers remain relatively low, most experts agree the new technology has the potential to lift the market out of its current funk and get people excited about PCs once again.