Smartphones, Tablets And PCs Market To Touch $ 814.3 Bn By 2017

Global sales of connected devices like Smartphones, tablets and PCs is expected to surpass 2.2 billion units and touch revenues of $ 814.3 billion by 2017, according to research firm IDC.

Worldwide shipment of such devices grew 29.1 percent year-on-year in 2012, crossing 1 billion units shipped at a value of USD 576.9 billion, IDC said in a statement.

Going forward, IDC predicts the market to continue surging with shipments surpassing 2.2 billion units and revenues reaching USD 814.3 billion in 2017, it added.

"Consumers and business buyers are now starting to see Smartphones, tablets, and PCs as a single continuum of connected devices separated primarily by screen size," IDC Programme Vice-President (Clients and Displays) Bob O'Donnell said.
The growth in 2012 was largely driven by 78.4 percent rise in tablet shipments, which surpassed 128 million units.
IDC expects tablet shipments to surpass desktop PCs in 2013 and portable PCs in 2014 and cross 352 million units by 2017.
Global desktop PC shipments, which stood at 148.4 million in 2012, is expected to drop to 141 million units in 2017.
Portable PC sales are expected to grow to 240.9 million units in 2017 from 202 million units in 2012.