PC Sales Continue to Drop

Global personal-computer shipments fell 7.7 percent in the third quarter on slower desktop sales and higher dollar-based prices, market researcher Gartner Inc. said.

PC manufacturers shipped 73.7 million units, compared with 79.8 million a year earlier, Gartner said in a statement Thursday. The introduction of Microsoft Corp.’s new Windows 10 operating system had a “minimal impact” as many upgrades went on existing PCs instead of new ones, the company said. Researcher IDC reported a similar drop in shipments.

The decline, following a 9.5 percent drop in the prior quarter, underscores the persistent challenges facing PC makers as more shoppers opt for smartphones and tablets. The stronger dollar is making computers more pricey abroad even as companies try to lure buyers with new types of devices.

"The global PC market has experienced price increases of around 10 percent throughout the year, due to the sharp appreciation of the U.S. dollar against local currencies,” Mikako Kitagawa, an analyst at Gartner, said in a statement.