PC Software and Hardware

Countries covered: United Kingdom

Three quarters of adults now use a computer in the home; the PC has become a mainstream consumer electronics device. In the past five years, their usage in the home has accelerated dramatically, driven by lower prices and the increasing demand for online connectivity. The PC has evolved from its traditional ‘home office’ role to one in which it has become a communications, entertainment and networking hub.

In the past couple of years, these factors have converged to drive the demand for laptops/notebooks, and these are now outselling desktops. This trend signals a dramatic change in the nature of in-home computing, evolving beyond providing a static installation, to one which caters for on-the-move, mobile computing, with 24/7 online connectivity. Most recently, this is finding expression in the emerging netbook sector, in which small, highly portable and low-priced devices are gathering considerable momentum at the lower end of the market.

The UK PC market is beginning to feel the stress of the economic downturn, and towards the end of 2008, manufacturers are reporting reduced shipments across the globe. In the mean time, the sector is moving towards saturation, which means that the focus for the industry is less about capturing ‘new to market’ prospects, and more about driving the demand for replacement and secondary devices.

This report takes a comprehensive look at the state of the UK in-home sector, including the following issues:

opportunities that are highlighted by changing social and cultural trends
the major economic and demographic factors that will impact the market, particularly in view of the impending recession
the changing role of the in-home PC; where does it fit alongside other entertainment and comms devices?
factors driving the demand for mobile computing; is the desktop in danger of becoming obsolete?
analysis of the major brands in the market, their user profiles and how they are positioned for the in-home user
how manufacturers are innovating and responding to the green and CSR agenda
features consumers consider important in their choice of PC, and attitudes towards PCs
the future buying intentions of consumers.

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