Windows XP migration causes Apple iPad sales to stutter

Death of Windows XP throws lifeline to PC market

The death of Microsoft's Windows XP operating system has facilitated a five per cent boom in PC shipments, according to analyst firm Canalys.

Canalys reported that global PC shipments reached 123.7 million units in Q1 2014, marking a five per cent year-on-year increase. The firm credited the increase to the end of support for Microsoft's Windows XP in April.

"Commercial shipments the world over have been lifted by the end of life of Windows XP, a trend that also influenced desktops, helping shipments to remain flat year on year."

The firm said that the increased interest in PCs saw tablet shipments drop to 50.8 million during the period, marking a 21 per cent year-on-year decrease.

Worldwide, Apple was one of the worst hit tablet vendors. Canalys reported that iPad shipments in Q1 fell to 16.4 million, marking a 16 per cent year-on-year decrease.

Apple was hit particularly hard in its native US market, which saw iPad shipments drop by a massive 40 per cent. Despite the drop Apple remained the world's biggest tablet and PC shipper, shifting roughly 23.5 million devices globally.

Chinese firm Lenovo fared well during the quarter, shipping around 15 million PC and tablet units, marking a two million year-on-year increase. The figure makes Lenovo the second biggest player in the PC and tablet market, below Apple.

Canalys analyst James Wang suggested that Lenovo's success is due largely to its diverse range of devices.

"Lenovo was quick to move with new form factors, and its Yoga line now dominates the global convertible notebook market. In addition, it has diversified its tablet portfolio," he said.

"Unlike Apple, with its 'one size fits all' tablet strategy, Lenovo and others are free to tailor tablets to specific market segments."

Canalys senior analyst Tim Coulling added that, despite Lenovo's success, Apple will continue to dominate the tablet and PC market for the foreseeable future.

"The fall in iPad shipments in Q1 was the sharpest ever. [But] longer term, we do not believe Apple's Q1 performance points to a decline in the tablet category," he said.

"Apple's ecosystem and the recent launch of Office for iPad should ensure it is well placed to remain a leader for some time."

HP took third place, shipping 12.9 million units during the period. The majority of the shipments were PCs, and HP managed to shift only 400,000 tablets during Q1 2014.

Despite suffering in the tablet space, Apple continues to enjoy growth in the smartphone market.

Kantar Worldpanel ComTech reported that Apple iOS handsets accounted for 32.1 per cent of the market in the UK from 1 December 2013 to 28 February 2014.

The figure marks a three per cent year-on-year increase in Apple iPhone sales, and makes it the biggest smartphone maker in the region.