Some of that growth was likely due to consumers putting off PC purchases until after Vista's January 30 launch.

Registering their first decline since 1986, PC purchases fell 1.9% between April and June 2001 to 30.4 million units.

Only 40 percent of U.S. households own a PC, and two-thirds of all new PC purchases are made by folks who already own one.

To pay for it, the board cut several student aide and secretarial positions and used money that had been earmarked for PC purchases.

If a game has mods, its a surefire PC purchase (Can't wait for Skyrim).

Discussion of PC purchases deferred until next meeting, after DFC returns from China.

Media tablet hype around devices such as the iPad has also affected consumer notebook growth by delaying some PC purchases.

Media tablets don't replace primary PCs, but they affect PC purchases in many ways," she said.

Though initially the major market for the PC was for business applications, games capability became an important factor motivating PC purchases as prices decreased.

The message was designed to prevent consumers from holding off on PC purchases until Windows 8 ships.