Report forecasts rise in global PC shipments

The number of PCs being shipped around the world is likely to show a year-on-year increase of 2.8 per cent in 2009, according to a new report from Gartner.

Despite this increase, however, revenue is expected to fall by nearly 11 per cent as the average selling price of a PC has fallen in recent months.

The worldwide market for notebook PCs in the second quarter of this year showed a ten per cent increase on the same period in 2008 to £15.85 billion, but the value slipped five per cent between the first and second quarters of 2009.

Natalie Spitz, senior analyst at Canalys, said: "Price pressure is still on for PCs and we expect sales of above €1,000 (£900) to remain difficult. However, prices might marginally go up in the next couple of quarters following component price increases."

VoIP solutions can often be free of charge using PCs and laptops and could help businesses save money during the recession.

Nearly 337 million PCs will be shipped worldwide throughout the course of 2010, according to Gartner.