EMEA Q1 2014 PC shipments are down by -1.1% Y-o-Y to 21.8 million units IDC reports-- a relative improvement over previous quarters (if still making for a 7th consecutive quarter of decline) as the market requires further recovery.

Improvement is seen mainly in the commercial segment, with desktop PC shipments growing by 1.4% Y-o-Y. On the other hand portables contract by -2.6%.

"The end of Windows XP support was a major driver of the commercial rebound, and supported renewals mainly in the desktop area," the analyst says. "In the EU, as the macroeconomic outlook improved, companies started to invest in IT again after many quarters of postponing decisions. In other parts of the region political unrest and negative exchange rate evolution were inhibitors to market growth."

In fact W. European shipments see growth (8.6% Y-o-Y) thanks to strong enterprise demand brought about by the end of Windows XP support, aging installed base and improving macroeconomic outlooks. Thus commercial PC shipments are the region's winners for the quarter, even as consumer shipments return to positive results for the first time in the 2 years.

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At the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2014 in Hamburg, Thales (in collaboration with B/E Aerospace) showed off prototypes of the next generation of business class seats: the design melds the lie-flat premium aircraft seat with immersive AV entertainment.

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The latest smart seat evolution presents advanced technology innovations like touchpad controls integrated in the seat, Ultra-High Definition (UHD) main display screen, Passenger Control Display, Eye Tracking and Interactive Virtual Landscape Panel, widely regarded as some of the most advanced in the world. Read more...

The global PC market remains in decline during Q1 2014 according to Gartner and IDC, even if both analysts agree the severity of said decline has eased compared to past quarters and shipment estimates.

However the analysts differ on the actual numbers-- Gartner says Q1 2014 PC shipments total 76.6 million units with a -1.7% Y-o-Y decline, while IDC has more severe totals with shipments dropping by -4.4% Y-o-Y to 73.4m units, an improvement of sorts over previous projections of -5.3% decline.

Gartner reports global IT spending is on pace to reach $3.8 trillion in 2014, a 3.2% increase over 2013 as the global economy appears to be recovering gradually.

"[B]usinesses are shaking off their malaise and returning to spending on IT to support the growth of their business," the analyst says. "Consumers will be purchasing many new devices in 2014-- however, there is a greater substitution toward lower cost and more basic devices than we have seen in prior years."

The devices market (Pcs, ultramobiles, mobile phones and tablets) should return to growth in 2014, with spending reaching $689 billion with a 4.4% increase. However spending is shifting towards lower-cost devices, with mature markets preferring mid-tier premium phones and emerging countries going for basic low-end Androids.

Meanwhile the traditional PC continues to contract to fewer (if more engaged) users. According to Gartner consumers buy premium ultramobiles as notebook replacements, with tablets as additional devices. Either way pricing is the primary differentiator.