For the fifth quarter in a row, traditional desktops and laptop have seen a decline in sales globally.  This mostly represents a shift in purchasing habits as opposed to an actual decline in the sales of electronics.  Desktops have declined in sales since laptops became much more affordable and a decent alternative for light users who have no need for a powerful desktop.  Now that tablets and smartphones are capable of providing the same experience to many users as a desktop or notebook, consumers are purchasing those devices which has lead to the perceived drop in sales.  No matter what the various talking heads may claim the desktop is not dead, no tablet on the planet can play Crysis nor will it handle SPSS.  Check out the comments at Slashdot for more entertaining thoughts on the supposed death of the desktop.

"Global personal computer (PC) sales have fallen for the fifth quarter in a row, making it the 'longest duration of decline' in history. Worldwide PC shipments totalled 76 million units in the second quarter, a 10.9% drop from a year earlier, according to research firm Gartner. PC sales have been hurt in recent years by the growing popularity of tablets. Gartner said the introduction of low-cost tablets had further hurt PC sales, especially in emerging economies. 'In emerging markets, inexpensive tablets have become the first computing device for many people, who at best are deferring the purchase of a PC,' said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner, said in a statement."

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