NG: US-China trade war affects PC shipments

PERSONAL Computers (PC) experienced a resurgence during the third quarter of 2018 with most market analysts expressing optimism of its stability. Unfortunately, the fourth quarter performance showed a decline in PC shipments due to a number of factors.

First, the shortage of parts particularly for central processing units (CPUs) from Intel caused supply chain issues. This hindered the ability of vendors to fulfill the demand for PC upgrades among businesses.

Because of this, AMD, the Intel processor clone maker, has been aggressively trying to get more manufacturers and buyers to shift to their CPU instead. Last quarter, we saw AMD regaining some market share, maybe their best since the last few years. We only have Intel to blame for being caught flatfooted and not having stocks.

Second, the economic tension between China and the United States is causing tension and uncertainty in the business environment.

Some 68.6 million PCs were shipped in the final quarter of 2018, which was 4.3 percent lower compared to the same period of 2017.

Lenovo captured 24.2 percent of the market and grew by 5.9 percent. HP came second with a 22.4 percent market share but registered a decline of 4.4 percent. Placing third is Dell which grew by 1.4 percent with 15.9 percent market share while Apple’s Mac came last with a market share of 7.2 percent but suffered a decline of 3.8 percent.

While PC shipments are declining, flip phones may soon be coming back into vogue.

If you have fond memories of the iconic retro Motorola Razr 10 years ago, get ready to shell out $1,500 as Lenovo (in partnership with Verizon) may be resurrecting the long-loved mobile phone. Motorola’s patent applications show designs filed as a fold-able smartphone, instead of the physical keypad.

The Verizon-exclusive product will hold a manufacturing run of 200,000 units and is expected to launch in February 2019.

Hopefully, we can get our hands on this model in the Philippines too! However, it is somewhat expensive and follows different strategies by different manufacturers.

Nokia reintroduced its iconic feature phone 3320 which was the leading choice over 15 years ago. Because it was simpler but has a very long battery life they introduced it at a low price of just a few thousand, cheaper than most smartphones.

Razr, on the other hand, had a somewhat peculiar and loved design, and while it is much less powerful, it is being introduced as a premium priced item for people who don’t want technology, but want style and cool elegance.

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