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New figures from technology research analysts Gartner have indicated PC sales in the UK compare poorly to global levels. Sales of PCs in the UK are constraining a revival of the global computer manufacturing sector according to Gartner, which predicts a return to growth for worldwide PC shipments in 2010. However, the forecast relies on the UK improving its sales, having experienced a prolonged decline in sales.

Computer sales in the UK totalled 3.3 million during the third quarter, down by 2.4 per cent on the same quarter in 2008. 2008 was also a poor year – the first in six years that the sector experienced a decline.

With dismal desktop PC sales, the global PC manufacturing sector has relied heavily upon the sales of laptops and netbooks. Globally, laptop sales are expected to grow by 21.2 per cent to 196.4 million units next year, with netbooks the major reason for this growth. A 41.4 per cent growth in the sales of these mini notebooks is forecast, taking total sales to 41 million.

Consumers appear enticed by the affordability of smaller laptops, balancing functionality with price and allowing users to access internet on the move.

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another story is Consumer Laptop Demands Fuels Growth in PC Shipments

IT research company Gartner has revealed an 18 per cent increase in global PC sales. The new figures revealed that 376.7 million sales of PCs were made last year, compared with 308.2 million during the previous year. The growth was driven largely by an increase in sales in the consumer segment, which, according to Gartner’s principal research analyst Ranjit Atwal, continues to grow despite the global economic difficulties. The increased sales translated to a 12 per cent increase in revenue to 5.4 billion.

The large business segment is expected to contribute to further growth, with Atwal revealing expectations that PC replacement programmes and the migration to Windows 7 at big companies would begin in the second half of 2010 and continue until 2012.

Netbook growth, meanwhile, is also expected to continue, with shipments expected to total 41.8 million on 2010 – an increase of 30 per cent on 2009. That figure would give netbooks an 18.6 per cent share of the laptop market, though that figure is expected to fall to 13.9 per cent by 2014. Ten million iPad type devices are expected to be shipped this year, compared to just 2 million tablet PCs, though iPad sales are expected to rise from 2013 once functionality increases and prices fall.

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