Global PCs in use pass 1.6 billion in 2011

PCs in use reached over 1.6 billion units worldwide at year-end 2011 and are expected to grow to 2.45 billion in 2016, according to the Computer Industry Almanac. The US accounted for over 19 percent of computers in use or 310.6 million PCs at the end of 2011, with China ranking second at 12.2 percent. The US is expected to have more PCs in-use than people by year-end 2012. The rapid growth of mobile PCs, including tablet computers, is the major reason for current and future PC expansion, the market researcher said. Worldwide PCs in use will grow to an estimated 33 percent of the global population in 2016, from 23 percent in 2011.