IDC: 2014 Sales Show PC Isn't Dead, But Desktop May be Dying

I assumed it's been this way for a while. Desktops are not on the same upgrade cycle as phones and tablets, or even laptops. Couple that with a gigantic facebooking/youtubing user base that doesn't own desktops, and offices that are switching to laptops with or without docking stations. What you have left are gaming desktops and workstations. Luckily, those two things will keep the desktop component market somewhat alive.

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Portable PCs (hybrids, laptops) showed "double digit" growth in the U.S., where as desktops saw a 10 percent drop in 2014. In other words, while the death of the PC may be premature, desktop sales continue to plummet, kept on life support only by enterprise orders.

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It's going to be quite a while before business stops using desktops. Portability is less important and most people are still more productive with a keyboard, mouse, and big screen. I think usage is a more useful measure of the death of the desktop than sales growth, because the sales will continue to plummet. If Windows 10 will run just fine on Windows 7 hardware, then that's a whole bunch of PCs I won't need to be purchasing. My remaining XP machines might end up getting replaced by new PCs with 10, but my 7s might just get the upgrade treatment, which is different than in the past where moving to a new OS also meant a new PC.

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If Windows 10 will run just fine on Windows 7 hardware, then that's a whole bunch of PCs I won't need to be purchasing.

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I think this is the biggest factor. The average employee workload/software requirements have probably hit a plateau. When all they are using is Microsoft Office and a web browser, there's no need to upgrade.

The same can be said for the home user, however laptops have a higher accident rate (drops, spills) and are more prone to theft when taken outside the home. An interesting stat would be a breakdown of how many laptops were purchased for what reason, replacing a desktop, upgrading a functioning laptop, replacing a lost/stolen/damaged laptop, or first time computer owner.

On a different note, we all know tablets have been stealing the laptop market share, but I also think the traditional PC (including laptops) will make a comeback (already is). As the tablet form factor is able to fit more powerful hardware, there becomes a better case for more capable operating systems running sophisticated programs (i.e., non-mobile versions of your favorite apps). We're seeing a shift back to traditional computing with the tablet/laptop hybrids.

Probably, but particularly where I work, a lot of the guys who travel a lot are issued laptops, and their offices have docking stations with a mouse, keyboard, and monitor, so it's no different than using a desktop when they're stationary.

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I couldn't imagine doing my job on a laptop. It'd be horrible.

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Docking station + big monitors for when you are in the office

Most jobs can easily make do with that combo