Intel Corp (INTC)

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The PC's are vastly more compelling than a year ago.

>> that's a huge exaggeration, imo.

Depends the vector on which you are judging advancement and innovation. Device size, shape, and functionality is now different than it was before. The consumption usages have been improved, and the fundamental mobility of the devices is better.

Performance, on the other hand, has flatlined, in order to prioritize lower power. If performance was a primary driver of your buying habits, and mobility and consumption usages were less important, then I can see why your opinion differs.

I don't mean to generalize that everyone will find the new systems innovative - but I do believe that a lot of people will.

alas that supposed innovation is not being reflected in numbers they are buying them.

I disagree, and I will point out a few things.

1. Many of the new systems are in fact brand new, and weren't even on the shelves as of last Christmas season. Therefore, backwards data will not be an indicator of how these systems sell in the market.

2. Analysts had projected PC sales to be in secular decline, with double-digit losses in volumes. However, Intel's data in the fourth quarter showed a 3% GROWTH in PC processor unit volumes over last year's fourth quarter.

That's a pretty radical revision upward. Due to deep pricing discounts, you might wonder? Actually, no, since pricing only declined by 2%. In my mind, this is an extremely positive indicator of PC stabilization.