The growth rate of computers is expected to decline in 2011, while that of tablet PCs is estimated to rise by 160 per cent, as per a recent survey by Accenture. The survey covered 19 consumer electronics technologies among more than 8,000 consumers in eight countries in both emerging and developed economies.

About 40% respondents in mature markets don’t plan to buy any consumer electronics in 2011, compared to only 9% of those in BRIC markets. Emerging markets are quicker to let go of duplicative technologies than mature markets, particularly cellphones, regular TVs, DVD players and VCRs. The purchasing growth rate for 3-D TV in 2011 is projected to be a staggering 500 per cent.

The survey found that only 17% of respondents plan to buy a desktop or laptop in 2011 - a 39% drop from 2010, ownership of basic mobile phones dropped from 79% in 2009 to 65% in 2010.