Windows 7 end of support to 'spur major renewal cycles' - analyst

Microsoft will cease support of Windows 7 in January next year

The end of Microsoft's support for Windows 7 at the start of next year will drive "major renewal cycles" in the PC market throughout the rest of 2019, according to IDC.

The analyst said that shipments of traditional PCs (desktops, notebooks and workstations) will decline by 0.4 per cent year on year in 2019, but added that the commercial market will experience "significant growth" as a result of the operating system upgrades.

Malini Paul, research manager at IDC, said: "Despite the ongoing CPU supply chain shortage and political uncertainties, the Western European PC market has proved to be resilient in Q1 2019.

"The market is expected to gain further stability in the forthcoming quarters, thanks to continuous strong demand from large and medium-sized businesses through to the end of 2019 ahead of the end of life of Windows 7 in January 2020."

IDC predicts that thin, light and convertible notebooks will see the strongest growth in the notebook category this year, driven by commercial demand for easily portable devices.

However, it says that despite the growing trend towards mobile devices, desktops will still have a strong foothold in some verticals because of their security benefits.

IDC added: "As we approach the tail end of the long desktop life cycles, accelerated renewals can be expected throughout 2019."