PC Growth Choked by the iPad's Arrival

There are many possible reasons for the recent decline of the PC industry. Some blame Windows 8, others blame saturated markets or the weak economy. Considering the fact that the negative trend began in the second quarter of 2010, one other possible reason for the decline of PC sales jumps to mind: the release of the iPad.

Since Apple revived the tablet industry with the release of the first iPad in April 2010, PC shipment growth has gradually died off and ultimately vanished completely. Global PC shipments have now declined for six consecutive quarters, most recently at a rate of 8.6 percent.

Obviously there are several reasons for the recent drop in PC sales, but looking at the chart below makes it hard to argue against the iPad as one of them. Tablets have given consumers another choice when it comes to fulfilling their computing needs. It turns out, for many a full-blown personal computer is no longer the most convenient and cost-effective option.