Topic: PC sales 'have passed peak'

[Clive]

Weak demand and switch to tablets such as Apple's iPad result in drop in worldwide PC shipments in first quarter.

LINK

[GillE]

Not surprising.  My son-in-law works at PC World and he's never known it so quiet as it has been this year.

[Simon]

I think a new PC would certainly be low on the priorities list of most people in the current economic climate.  Other that, of course, those that need them for business, etc...

[sam]

doesn't help that people are saving their cash too.

That and I guess people look online more than going to PC world?

[Simon]

I don't know, really.  We all take the p!ss out of PC World, but if you want a mainstream computer 'off the shelf', for a reasonable price, there isn't really anywhere better, unless you're lucky enough to have a good local retailer.

[sam]

Or you go to Comet... I always found them much more knowledgeable and helpful. Then again, I know what I want generally before I walk in the store, hence my laptop came from PC world.

[sam]

The other thing is I bet they aren't the main seller of mac stuff and well mac laptops have surely taken a decent marketshare over the past few years.

[GillE]

Comet, Currys and PC World are all the same shop.  Although we have a relative who works in PC World and he can get us a 10% discount, we still bought our last laptop from Tesco.  PC World had an identical model on display at the same price as advertised on TV.  However, they didn't have any in stock and we were urged to buy a higher spec (and more expensive) model instead.  We said we would wait until they took delivery of fresh stock but none were forthcoming, so after waiting several days we bought it from Tesco instead.

It's as if PC World is doing its best to alienate potential customers.

[Simon]

Currys and PC World are part of the same group (Dixons?), but I think Comet is separate. 

[GillE]

You're right, Simon.  I was relying on information from a PC World employee and hadn't checked it first - but that's no excuse on my part!  It looks as if Comet is owned by Kesa Electricals.

Mind, all three shops are much of a muchness.  It's not surprising that general retailers such as Tesco can compete with them.