IDC not too optimistic for 2012 PC growth

Research firm IDC has released their 2012 PC outlook projections, and the results aren't very encouraging. According to the report, lack of Asian/Pacific growth and decreased sale volumes in the US have contributed to hurt overall PC growth in 2012.

Based on the company's projections, the PC market will end up growing only 0.9% overall in 2012, and an estimated 367 million units will have shipped by the end of this year. This marks the 2nd consecutive year of growth below 2% and isn't much of an improvement over 2011.

While customer apprehension and overall economic slumping played a huge role in the decreased numbers, IDC believes that the influx of Windows 8 devices will help PC numbers trend upwards. Still, the overall growth projections for 2013-2016 have been reduced and are now down to a 7.1% average annual growth rate rather than the previously forecasted 8.4%.

Of course, Windows 8 could end up being the big boon that Microsoft has been waiting for, with new tablet innovations and interest likely being the deciding factor, but until then the PC market will remain apprehensive about dipping numbers and spiking Apple sales. 

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