New Delhi: Marking one of the worst years for the global PC industry, shipments fell by 10 per cent last year as handheld devices like smartphones and tablets grabbed consumers' attention, research firms Gartner and IDC said.

PCs -- which include desktops, notebooks and laptops -- shipment levels in 2013 were similar to that achieved in 2009.

According to Gartner's preliminary data, worldwide PC shipments declined by 10 per cent to 315.96 million units in 2013 from 351.05 million units in 2012.

"For the full year 2013, unit shipments declined 10 per cent from 2012, a record drop reflecting changes in mobility and personal computing affecting the market. While, commercial purchases helped to prevent a larger decline, the consumer side remained weak," IDC said.

IDC's Worldwide PC Trackers Vice President Loren Loverde said total shipments have now declined for seven consecutive quarters and even the holiday shopping season was unable to inspire a turn in consumer spending.
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