Strong desktop sales will be a feature of 2014 - analyst

28 per cent surge in B2B desktop sales through UK distribution in Q4 will not be a one-off, according to Context

A leading analyst says the channel can count on strong sales of commercial desktops throughout 2014.

Talking to CRN, Context founder Jeremy Davies predicted that a 28.1 per cent annual hike in the number of business desktops sold through UK distributors in Q4 would be more than just a temporary blip.

Overall, B2B desktop sales through the distributors Context tracks across western Europe jumped by 10.7 per cent in the final three months of 2014 with the UK leading the way, marking a return to form for the immovable PC form factor. Sales had fallen in the first two quarters of the year before inching up 1.5 per cent year on year in Q3.

Context was quick to add that softer sales and weak IT investment in the comparable quarters in 2012 partially contributed to the upturn.

"[The growth] is a direct result of XP being taken away - people are being forced into a refresh," said Davies (pictured). "On top of this, it has been such a long time since the last refresh because of the economic situation, that with the new operating system and the fact their equipment is old, it means a refresh is happening in businesses, and businesses buy desktops."

Tablet uptake in businesses remains restricted to somevertical markets, Davies added. The tactile form factor is far from enjoying widespread success due to workers' key duties involving the use of spreadsheets and traditional word processing products, he explained.

And the strong showing for desktops in Q4 will be more than just a one-off blip, Davies added.

"[Refreshes] always take time, and this is the beginning of the change," he said. "Strong desktop sales will be a feature of 2014."