IHS has slashed PC sales forecasts for 2012 because of weakening demand and an ongoing disk drive crisis.

HDD shortages triggered by the Thai floods will lead to a 3.8 million unit shortfall in PC shipments for Q1 compared to the beancounter's previous forecast, dragging down expectations for the whole year.

“The PC supply chain says it has sufficient HDD inventory for the fourth quarter of 2011. However, those stockpiles will run out in the first quarter of 2012, impacting PC production during that period,” said Matthew Wilkins, IHS senior analyst.

The global market is projected to grow at 6.8 per cent in Q1, down from the 9.5 per cent the analyst initially forecast, which equates to 84.2 million boxes rather than 88 million.