In five years, Microsoft’s share of personal computing fell from 90 to 33%
Over the last five years, Post-PC devices have displaced conventional Windows PCs so rapidly that Microsoft's dominance over personal computing has plummeted from roughly 90 percent share to less than a third.
Data compiled by Horace Dediu of Asymco highlights in implosion of growth that has sapped Worldwide PC shipments starting with at the launch of Apple's iPad in 2010 (above).
While PC shipments have stagnated over the past five years, Apple's sales of iPhone and iPads and the estimated shipments of Android-based devices have grown rapidly.
The personal computing industry has shifted from 92 million shipments in 2008 to today's market of 269 million units, as the site further details in charts.
Five years ago, Windows PCs accounted for the vast majority of computing devices - around 90 percent. But after failing to materially participate in the shift to tablets and smartphones, Microsoft has been left with its OS software on less than a third of the devices companies and individuals now use.
Dediu's figures come from Gartner's PC and tablet shipment data. The firm, along with IDC, suddenly stopped counting certain tablets among PC sales after Apple released its iPad. Both companies have since added Microsoft's Surface and other Windows-branded tablets to their PC numbers while relegating iPads and Android tablets into a separate "media tablet" category.
Ostensibly, this was to separate devices used only for "media consumption" from PC figures, but the firm's PC data has always included vast numbers of PCs that have only ever been used to browse the web or check mail, and have also included low powered netbooks and other limited-duty PC devices.
In stark contrast, complete PC market data from Canalys (above) has more clearly shown how modern tablet form factors have had a tremendous impact on the PC market, without regard for how flattering the truth is to Microsoft.
52 Comments
Sorry I don't consider my iphone or ipad the same as my desktop. They are really a different market. The chart is interesting though, the iPad did have a significant effect of PC sales, but look at what release of Win8 in the 3rd qtr of 2012 did.
Sorry I don't consider my iphone or ipad the same as my desktop. They are really a different market.
The chart is interesting though, the iPad did have a significant effect of PC sales, but look at what release of Win8 in the 3rd qtr of 2012 did.
To YOU they are a different market. To many folks I know, their iPads are the only computer they have.
Fixed-that for you DED... :)
[quote name="tjwal" url="/t/160082/in-five-years-microsofts-share-of-personal-computing-fell-from-90-to-33#post_2414908"]Sorry I don't consider my iphone or ipad the same as my desktop. They are really a different market. The chart is interesting though, the iPad did have a significant effect of PC sales, but look at what release of Win8 in the 3rd qtr of 2012 did.[/quote] And desktops aren't used the same way as notebooks, but that doesn't mean they are all used to do similar activities and can reasonably be defined as personal computers. You should consider that many people are finding modern smartphones to be a great stand in for many of their online activities and there are plenty of people who have replaced or ignored their traditional "PC" in favor of tablets. This is evidenced by the rise in the tablet market and the corresponding drop in desktop and notebook sales. Jobs said it best when he stated: "PCs are going to be like trucks."
Sorry I don't consider my iphone or ipad the same as my desktop. They are really a different market.
The chart is interesting though, the iPad did have a significant effect of PC sales, but look at what release of Win8 in the 3rd qtr of 2012 did.
You don't get to decide that. They are the same market, because quite a few people are buying iPads and iPhones and using it as their primary device. Maybe not you, and certainly not me, but many others are.
A full desktop PC is overkill for most people, the people who are primarily content consumers, not creators. Before, people didn't have a choice, they had to buy a PC or laptop, now they have a choice, and many of them are choosing not to buy such devices, as they don't need them.