This IDC study presents an updated look at the worldwide PC marketplace going forward. It incorporates the latest quarter of 4Q11, with the forecast out to 2016. It is valid as of April 2012 and provides forecast and growth figures for PC shipments at the worldwide level and for key regional markets.

"PC shipments in the fourth quarter of 2011 grew 0.4%, which was stronger than expected. There was continued strong momentum from emerging markets, especially in light of the fact that the HDD shortage did not materialize as severely as expected. In light of the HDD supply recovery, which is proceeding as expected, the outlook for the first half of 2012 has been adjusted upward with a more positive view compared with that in the 3Q11 forecast," says Rajani Singh, research analyst, United States PC Tracker program. "We expect innovations in a revamped Wintel platform will spur consumer interest, but the commercial refresh over the past two years is expected to slow."