From PC World: In a declining PC market, high-priced gaming desktops and laptops are thriving.
PC shipments totaled 71.9 million units during the fourth quarter last year, declining by 10.6 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014, according to a study released by IDC on Tuesday.
But high-end gaming PCs are the fastest-growing segment alongside all-in-one PCs, IDC analysts said. Gamers upgrade hardware much more quickly than other users and are typically not affected by the industry trends that led to a decline in PC shipments overall.
For one, smartphones and tablets haven't replaced gaming PCs, as has happened with mainstream PCs, said Lewis Ward, research director for gaming at IDC.
Gamers also aren't price-sensitive, and are willing to spend to get the latest and greatest technologies. Many gaming systems are built by enthusiasts at home.
Though a small share of the overall PC market, gamers also upgrade computers much more quickly than users of regular PCs. Intel last week estimated that gamers refresh PCs roughly every two years. It also estimated that enthusiast gaming PC shipments are growing at about 26 percent per year.
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