IDC: Global PC shipments to fall 9.7 percent this year

Total unit sales will fall 9.7 percent this year, a steep drop from the 7.8 percent the firm expected at the end of May. The market will continue to shrink until 2015, when the market is expected to 'bottom' and post a small single digit gain.

Sales will never reach 2011 levels, where they peaked around the world, adds the firm. China and other emerging economies, which had been compensating for declining sales in the U.S. and other developed nations, have now begun contracting, as well.

Altogether, IDC predicts 315.4 million PCs this year, down from 349.2 million last year.