The PC market keeps looking worse-- according to IDC global Q1 2013 PC shipments drop by -13.9% Y-o-Y to 76.3 million units, the worst quarter since IDC started tracking shipments in 1994.
The shipment decline is (obviously!) much worse than the -7.7% Y-o-Y decline previously forecast by IDC. EMEA declines are also worse than than analyst anticipated, reaching the "strong" double-digits within both consumer and commercial markets.
"At this point it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market," IDC remarks. "The costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices. Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market."
In other words, Windows 8 effectively turned the PC market into something akin to a Zeppelin crashing towards the earth in slow motion while consumers stick to tablets and smartphones...
It is always interesting to learn how much the leaders of the retail world earn-- such as former RadioShack CEO James F. Gooch (left), who earns a handsome golden parachute worth $3.9 million following his September 2012 departure from the retailer. 
According to anonymous executives Microsoft is shipping smartwatch components while R&D staff talk designs with suppliers at the company's Redmond, Washington HQ. 
When you play the game of thrones you either win or you die, the HBO TV series tells us. A maxim that equally applies to the cutthroat world of high stakes retail!
