MICROSOFT'S Windows 8 operating systems and new form factors such as ultrabooks not only have failed to lift the lift the PC markets, they've presided over a massive decline.
Worldwide sales of personal computers slid 13.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, research firm IDC said.
IDC said global PC shipments totaled 76.3 million units in the first quarter, the fourth consecutive quarter of year-on-year declines. The group said sales were down "significantly across all regions" of the world.
The research firm said tablets and smartphones "continue to divert consumer spending" and efforts by PC makers to come up with touchscreens and capabilities and ultraslim systems have fallen flat.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the story was similar.
Preliminary research by Gartner found that PC Asian shipments totalled 27.6 million units in the first quarter of 2013, a 10.3 per cent decline from the first quarter of 2012.
This region also experienced its strongest decline since Gartner began tracking PC shipments, Garner said.
"Asia/Pacific buyers remained cautious in spending amid a fragile economic environment. Both China and India experienced year-over-year shipment declines," Gartner said.
IDC's global survey found a result far worse than IDC's projected 7.7 per cent year-on-year drop despite what the firm called "some mild improvement in the economic environment and some new PC models" with the Windows 8 operating system.
"At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market," said IDC analyst Bob O'Donnell.
"While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI (user interface), removal of the familiar 'Start' button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices.
"Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market."
IDC said Hewlett-Packard remained the top vendor despite a 23 per cent year on year drop in first-quarter shipments.
China's Lenovo remained second in global shipments and nearly closed the gap with HP, based on IDC estimates.
