原创 Windows 8: Can it rescue the PC?

As competition from more convenient, cheaper mobile computing devices such as smartphones and tablets takes its toll on PC sales, will Microsoft's latest Windows operating system help get the PC market on firmer footing?

Worldwide PC shipments are now projected to decline in 2012 for the first time in 11 years, according to market research firm IHS iSuppli. In its latest forecast, released Wednesday (Oct. 10), IHS said it expects PC shipments to decline 1.2 percent this year to 348.7 million units.

To put this in perspective, the last time PC shipments contracted year-over-year was 2001, the year the dot com bubble burst.

PC shipments are widely expected to get a boost from the release of Windows 8, set for Oct. 26. But it appears unlikely that the release of the new Microsoft operating system will provide enough bounce for the market to avoid contraction this year.

IHS points to a number of culprits responsible for the projected decline, not the least of which is ongoing economic malaise throughout much of the world. But PC shipments appear to be suffering at least in part due to the tremendous growth in smartphones and tablets. In the past two weeks, IHS and others have blamed changing customer preferences brought on by the success of a new kind of mobile computing.

Simply put, tablets and high-end smartphones offer consumers and businesses much of the computing power they need for many tasks. And they are more convenient, lighter, less expensive and, well, more fun than a stodgy old PC.

Righting the ship
To right the ship, PC OEMs are coming out with Ultrabooks and other ultrathin and power efficient computers that seek to bring many of the more popular features of tablets to something that more closely resembles a traditional PC. Windows 8, which supports touchscreen and features a tiled "fast and fluid" GUI, can help with that. But to date, sales of Ultrabooks especially have been disappointing, largely because the cost of the devices remains too high (in the $1,000 range).

In its report circulated Tuesday, IHS poses several key questions for the PC market, including whether smartphones, tablets and other such gadgets will outsell PCs during the crucial holiday season.

According to IHS, there are promising signs that a strong rebound for PCs could occur next year. Though IHS recently cut its forecast for Ultrabook sales in 2012 and 2013, the firm said Ultrabooks and other ultrathin computers have the potential to revive the PC market. The addition of Windows 8 to the mix could prove potent and irresistible to consumers, IHS said.

The Windows 8 start screen, featuring application tiles.

But neither IHS's analysts, nor the millions of people with a vested interest in keeping the PC thriving, are sure whether new spins on the PC will stand up to the powerful smartphone and tablet markets.