Gome is one of China’s leading electronics retailers.

AUG. 24, 2011 • Research firm IDC estimates that China PC shipments reached 18.5 million units during the second quarter, an increase of 14%. That would mark the first time the Chinese market has surpassed the United States, where PC shipments fell 4.8% to 17.7 million units during the same period.

Impact: Obviously, with four times as many people as the U.S., China is just getting started when it comes to PC penetration.  The good news for content developers is it is clear that Chinese consumers like their entertainment.  PC game industry sales in China surpassed the U.S. in 2009 and continue to soar far faster than most markets. The U.S. is now a distant second when it comes to PC games and the gap is only widening.  In emerging markets like China the PC is a necessity while platforms like dedicated console systems can be considered and expensive luxury for the well-to-do.  In this type of market the PC becomes a crucial entertainment device.