Seagate Technology PLC (STX), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), Apple Inc. (AAPL): The Traditional PC Is Dying and Consumers are Switching to Tablets

Ultramobile devices overwhelming run Windows 8. However, Gartner does not expect this group of machines to approach the size of the tablet market anytime soon.

Will Apple benefit?

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) largely invented the the mobile computing device market — both the iPhone and iPad were instrumental in starting the revolution.

But going forward, the company might not benefit as much from the change as one might expect. Gartner notes that consumers are increasingly opting for basic tablets in place of premium offerings.

The iPad Mini accounted for about 60% of iPad sales in the first quarter. Unlike say Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) isn’t selling the Mini at cost, but it doesn’t make as much money from the Mini as it does the full-sized iPad.

Newer, cheaper Android tablets (like HP’s Slate 7) continue to hit the market. Continued growth in the mobile space might come more from these devices than from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s top-of-the-line offerings.

The changing PC market

The PC is changing like never before. Mobility — rather than pure power — seems to be the driving force behind the shift.

Increasingly, consumers are favoring tablets, smartphones and ultramobile devices. The need for traditional laptop and desktop computers won’t vanish overnight, but companies dependent on the sale of these machines could struggle.

The article The Traditional PC Is Dying and Consumers are Switching to Tablets originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Salvatore “Sam” Mattera.

Salvatore Mattera is short shares of Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX). The Motley Fool recommends Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Microsoft. Salvatore “Sam” is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

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