You also have to take many of those "slump" numbers with a grain of salt.
Some statistics firms, for instance - will list a Windows RT or Pro tablet as a PC in the numbers, but an iPad or Android tablet is classed as a tablet. A Windows RT tablet is in no way a "computer", lol. It's barely a tablet. Traditional PC sales *are* declining, but I am more inclined to think that people simply aren't buying/replacing machines as often as they used to. The technology has slowed down. I used to build a new gaming PC every XMas. I now do it every 2-3 years, as there's simply no logic in spending many thousands of dollars for what will get me 10% FPS in games between the two difering older/newer machines.
+1 to the words about ZDNet. I used to really enjoy visiting their site, but the place has gotten extremely "click whorish" lately where stories are puffed up as propaganda pieces solely for the purposes of driving traffic while containing no real meat to the article. I prefer The Verge these days - while not perfect, there's a lot less doomsaying going on there.
I feel the press often doesn't get the bigger picture. Most people do not ever buy a tablet to replace a full fledged PC. I own both an iPad and an Android device, and the thought of tossing out my $5000 gaming PC and using the tablets solely is ludicrous. Not doable. I am a computer enthusiast working in the trade, and a tablet will never replace my PC.
For a segment of the market, it is doable. My mother, for example - has had a Mac since 2009 or so. Used to do everything on it. Got her an iPad last year and she rarely touches the Mac anymore. About the only time she uses it is when she types up/prints recipes or Christmas cards and the like.
That being said, her needs are *extremely* limited. Her computing requirements generally consist of nothing more than checking Facebook, her Hotmail email, and playing those goofy Popcap games like Bejewelled. Tablet is purpose built for people like that, IMO.
