14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8.1 has often been described as Microsoft’s only chance to lend a hand to the collapsing PC market, but as far as research firm IDC is concerned, that’s not going to happen.
IDC has recently changed its 2013 PC shipments forecast, revealing that this particular market is very likely to continue its decline in the next months.
Basically, IDC says that PC shipment worldwide will continue to drop before eventually reaching 321.9 million units, down 7.8 percent as compared to 2012 figures.
Surprisingly, IDC rolled out the new analysis only a few weeks before the public preview of Windows 8.1 is projected to hit the market and, consequently, to boost new PC sales.
Microsoft and partners expect Windows 8.1 to come in as a breath of fresh air for the PC industry, as it addresses many complaints regarding Windows 8 and makes the operating system a bit more familiar.
For example, sources familiar with the matter reveal that Microsoft is very likely to bring back the Start button Windows 8.1, as the lack of this particular option was considered one of the main drawbacks of the company’s new operating system.
In addition to increased PC sales, Windows 8.1 is also expected to spawn several new devices, including smaller tablets with 7- and 8-inch displays.
It appears that Microsoft itself is planning to release a smaller Surface tablet as well, as pundits are claiming that the company has partnered with Samsung for the production of touchscreen displays that could be then installed on its new tablets.
Both Windows 8.1 and the new Surface tablet generation are expected to go live at the BUILD developer conference next month, but the final versions of these two products are likely to be unveiled later this year, most likely just in time for the holiday season.