After the on-going onslaught of tech news around "the PC is dead, long live mobile," one would think the PC's gravestone was firmly planted. However, a recent set of statistics has given a contrarian viewpoint that offers hope for travel brands that see higher conversions or prefer engaging with customers on the unique interface of PCs.
Research firm Gartner has laid out this year's PC shipments to show how the popularity of the platform is increasing once again. Of course, shipments don't equate to sales but companies generally try not to over-ship by looking at leading indicators of demand.
The research suggested that some of manufacturers' efforts to create PCs that also function as touch tablets have been working well. The ability to offer a product with multiple functions has led some to opt for the PC instead of a tablet, and has left the tablet stable at about 50% penetration.
Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner, pointed out some of the change is due to upgrades after the death if Windows XP:
The continued growth in the EMEA PC market reflects the end of official support for Windows XP and the need to replace older PCs.
Consumer demand has also improved. We’ve witnessed lower notebook prices and promotional offers on two-in-one hybrid devices attracting buyers back. Many tablet early-adopters are considering a hybrid two-in-one product as a viable alternative to a replacement tablet.
Some may find this news useful, others might not. Regardless, it's important to understand how the winds of technology are blowing at any given moment. As consumers shift back to certain platforms, there are renewed opportunities that come with developing and serving user experiencces.