Developing countries are expected to see a continued increase in PC usage.HELSINKI (Reuters)
- The number of personal computers in use around the world has
surpassed 1 billion, with strong growth in emerging markets set to
double the number of PCs by early 2014, research firm Gartner said on
Monday.
Mature markets accounted for 58 percent of the first billion
installed PCs, but would only account for about 30 percent of the next
billion, Gartner said.
"Rapid penetration in emerging markets is being driven by the
explosive expansion of broadband and wireless connectivity, the
continuing fall in PC average selling prices, and the general
realization that PCs are an indispensable tool for advancement," George
Shiffler, research director at Gartner, said.
Gartner expects more than 180 million computers will be replaced
this year, with some sold to second owners through various channels,
some broken up and recycled, but many simply dumped directly into
landfill.
"We estimate ... some 35 million PCs will be dumped into landfill
with little or no regard for their toxic content," said Gartner analyst
Meike Escherich.
"It will become an even more pressing issue, especially in emerging
markets, as the number of retired PCs grows with the continuing
expansion of the PC installed base," she said.
(Reporting by Tarmo Virki; editing by Sue Thomas)
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