Vista Not a Big Factor in PC Sales

Research firm Gartner finds that worldwide sales of PCs are looking up for 2007, but Windows Vista is not a strong factor driving computer sales.

Market research firm Gartner has released estimates for 2007 worldwide computer sales, forecasting an overall 11.1 percent increase compared to 2006. But the surprise is that Gartner finds this increase is being driven by strong demand for PCs in emerging markets, while last year’s release of Windows Vista is not a strong factor in encouraging sales of new PCs.

“The release of Microsoft Windows Vista operating system at the end of January has, so far, failed to stimulate the market in the way many hoped,” said George Shiffler, research director for Gartner’s Client Platforms Markets Group. “Our market data suggest Vista has had very limited impact on PC demand or replacement activity. We don’t see Vista having a significant effect on these going forward unless Microsoft becomes much more aggressive in its marketing efforts.”

Gartner estimates that worldwide PC sales will reach 257.1 million units in 2007, of which 103.2 million will be mobile PCs, a 27.1 percent increase over 2006, while 153.9 million will be desktop PCs, a 2.4 percent increase from 2006. Gartner believes about 55 percent of sales to emerging markets reflecting new PC penetration, rather than replacement of older systems, and, furthermore, over 77 million new desktop PCs and 51 million new mobile PCs will be sold to developing markets.