The world now has one billion personal computers, according to Gartner research. It’s expected to take less than 6 years for the second billion, as a 12 percent annual increase will double the number of PCs worldwide by 2014, with most growth coming from developing markets.
The U.S., Europe and Japan own 58% of today’s PCs. Emerging markets will account for 70 percent of the next billion PCs due to dropping prices and improved Internet access.
The PC installed base is constantly churning as users replace their computers with new ones. Gartner estimates that 16% or 180 million PCs will be replaced this year.
But there is a downside to all this progress. Some old PCs find a second life in schools and charities, some are recycled, but many are simply thrown in the trash. “We estimate a fifth of these, or some 35 million PCs, will be dumped into landfill with little or no regard for their toxic content,” said Meike Escherich, principal research analyst at Gartner.
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