Gartner: 2 billion PCs across globe by 2014

One billion PCs are installed across the globe, according to new estimates from Gartner Inc., and that number is set to double within the next decade.

by Helen Leggatt

The worldwide base of installed PCs is growing at an annual rate of 12% say Gartner analysts in a recently released forecast. The figure is based on the number of PCs in use and not on numbers shipped.

Currently, 58% of PCs are owned by European, American and Japanese users but Gartner forecasts that emerging markets will account for 70% of the next billion to be installed. Factors driving this growth include improved Internet access across the globe and falling prices.

“There’s a startling difference in per capita PC penetration between mature and emerging markets. Of course, much of this difference reflects the disparity in average living standards between mature and emerging markets,” said George Shiffler, research director at Gartner. “But, rapid economic development across emerging markets is not only narrowing the disparity in average living standards, it's closing the difference in per capita PC penetration between mature and emerging markets.”

And where do those PCs go when they die? According to Gartner, a fifth of the 180 million PCs that will be replaced this year alone will end up dumped in landfills – that’s around 35 million. Even now, the disposal of PCs, which can contain toxic elements such as mercury and lead, is of major concern to environmental groups, and this problem can only get worse.