Lenovo Announces Five Key PC Market Trends for 2017
The "PC-as-a-Service" trend will drive PC market growth.

Lenovo has announced five PC market trends to watch in 2017.

Kang Yong-nam, CEO of Lenovo Korea, stated, "While the PC market's growth trajectory may continue to fluctuate, the potential for profitable growth and remarkable innovation remains clear. The innovation that unlocks this potential and possibility stems from creative ideas and the perseverance to continuously develop them." He then presented five key predictions for the PC industry in 2017.

1. Integration with the Internet of Things (IoT)

With industry insiders already unanimously citing the "Internet of Everything (IoE)" as the disruptive technology of 2017, IoT will continue to be a hot topic in the IT industry. In particular, smart connectivity is expected to expand to virtually every endpoint in the home and workplace, driving significant growth in both the consumer and enterprise markets. Accordingly, major global PC manufacturers will increase their R&D investments to produce more integrated and intuitive PCs and smart devices.

Lenovo website

2. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies combined with games

The augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) gaming industries are expected to experience explosive growth in 2017. CES 2017, the world's largest IT and consumer electronics show, is expected to showcase over 50 AR and VR headsets, with gaming systems expected to dominate the PC market. Furthermore, AR and VR technologies are expected to continue their growth as their applications expand beyond gaming to include education and manufacturing.

3. Display Innovation

As consumer interest in AR and VR gaming grows, display innovation is expected to rapidly evolve to match these PC market trends. Last year, Lenovo pioneered a gaming monitor with a curved display for a more immersive gaming experience. In 2017, global PC manufacturers will continue to invest in developing displays that can support AR and VR technologies with greater realism and vividness.

4. Diversification of laptop and tablet product lines

Two-in-one laptops, which feature detachable monitors and keyboards, are emerging as a new product category to replace traditional PCs. Market research firm IDC predicts that two-in-one laptops will account for 31% of the tablet market by 2020, nearly double the current 16%. PC users, who desire enhanced mobile experiences at home and work, prioritize portability and versatility when selecting a product. Therefore, a wider variety of convertible and two-in-one products are expected to emerge in the PC market in 2017.

5. Extending the PC life cycle

The "PC as a Service (PCaaS)" trend is gaining traction in the corporate market. This refers to a rental model that provides services ranging from hardware to PC configuration, installation, asset management, recovery, and maintenance. PCaaS offers the advantage of reducing significant capital expenditures while extending the life cycle of PCs, and is expected to drive growth in the PC market as more and more companies adopt it. Furthermore, according to a report by global market research firm TBR, this trend is expected to help PC vendors transform traditional PC sales into longer-term, more profitable contracts by expanding the portfolio of services bundled with PC sales.