Jon Peddie Research (JPR) expects the PC gaming hardware market to shrink slightly this year – although less than the overall PC market – and resume growth in 2016.
However, not all products in the market will shrink and grow at the same rate. Gaming notebooks have entered a challenging environment, as gamers prepare for upcoming UltraHD developments.
Importantly, notes senior analyst Ted Pollack, UltraHD games will push gamers to upgrade their displays, “unlike any [trend] for the past fifteen years”. 27″ and larger UltraHD screens are reaching mass-market price levels, and provide both a greater field of view and higher detail. “The financial outlay for these display upgrades alone is billions of dollars over the coming years”, he said.
In addition to new displays, gamers will need the graphical power to drive high-end game engines at more than 60fps, “and that horsepower comes at a premium”, said company president Jon Peddie.
At the low-end, the gaming notebook and desktop market is challenged by tablets and TV gaming. However, new TV-optimised PCs (Steam Machines) from Alienware, iBuyPower and others may buck this trend.
Jon Peddie’s new report (http://tinyurl.com/pz2bmn5) contains details on the various segments of the PC gaming market – from casual users to enthusiasts – as well as after-market add-in boards; accessories and DIY; and pre-built PCs.
