Gartner Reports 12% Drop in Computer Sales

As computer manufacturers struggle with the changing economic environment, Gartner reports that sales of personal computers are expected to decline by 11.9 percent to 257 million units in 2009. According to the Associated Press, the decline in PC sales in 2009 would be the worst since 2001, when unit shipments contracted 3.2 percent, Gartner said in a statement. Both emerging and mature markets were also set to suffer unprecedented market slowdowns in 2009 with PC sales declining by 10.4 percent over last year in emerging markets and by 13 percent in mature markets.This type of market research is growing more worthwhile as other businesses brace for the residuals of the economic storm.