Figures from the market research firm IDC shows a shocking decline in PC hardware sales. Something that seems to fly in the face of the massive success reported by companies like Valve last year. According to Bob O'Donnell, the blame lays heavily at the feet of Microsoft's latest operating system.

"At this point, unfortunately, 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. While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI, removal of the familiar Start button, and 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."

All I can say is - you have got to be fucking kidding me.

Even a cursory glance at sales figures for tablets, arguably the most successful piece of technology ever made, nips that idea in the bid immediately. The simple fact is, the vast majority of PC users are not using them for the games, or video editing, or the kinds of things that require high end tech. Misses Middleclass from Selfabsorbed Avenue doesn't care if her video card has twenty-five bajillion transistors, or if her CPU has a fifteen meg L7 cache. She wants to check her e-mails and play Facebook games. So why splash out two grand for your kid to write his dissertation, when a £150 netbook runs Office perfectly fine.

Doesn't take a genius to do the maths on this one chaps. Now, what the knock-on effect will be for high end gaming, that still remains to be seen. I wouldn't be overly worried if I were you, the industry isn't going to collapse overnight. High end tech is still required, not only by gamers, but movie makers and designers too. So what do you think of all this? Leave your predictions below.