Worldwide PC processor market hits record levels of unit shipments

IDC has a conservative forecast for PC processor demand in the first and second quarters of 2008. "While processor shipments typically decline about 6% to 7% between the fourth quarter and the first quarter, economic concerns in the US and the effects on corporate and consumer systems purchases could mean a stronger sequential decline in first quarter 2008," added Rau. "However, the weakness in the US dollar effectively means a price discount for overseas markets that are driving PC unit demand, so this could have a mitigating effect."