After experiencing strong growth of 45-50% in 2009 and 2010, demand for all-in-one computers has already started cooling down with shipment growth for 2011 expected to reach only 31.1%, according to a new report from "DigiTimes" (http://macte.ch/2sMz3). I'm predicting that one all-in-one will defy that trend: the iMac.

"DigiTimes" says that the all-in-one segment will face an even bigger slowdown as it continues trying to penetrate into the desktop market in 2012, with annual shipment growth dropping below 20%, on shipments of 15.8 million units, adds the research group. This year shipments of all-in-ones will only account for 9.3% of the desktop market, lower than previous forecasts that expected double-digit penetration in 2011, according to the research group.

While the proportion will rise slightly in 2012, reaching 10.5%, the growth of the segment has reached a stable point and the AIO penetration rate will grow only slightly each year. Of course, the Mac has beaten the overall computer industry in terms of growth for several years now. All signs indicate that this will continue.

"DigiTimes" says Apple's leading position in the all-in-one market will be taken by Lenovo in 2012 as "iMac shipments in 2011 also suffered an on-year drop, reaching only 3.7 million units." They're wrong.

The iMac hasn't had any major changes in some time except for the addition of Thunderbolt technology. I think Apple will change that in 2012. One possibility would be a 3D iMac, something I've covered before (see http://www.macnews.com/2011/11/11/3d-imac-2012-perhaps).

Or perhaps an iMac with television features, as one pundit is predicting. But more on that tomorrow.

-- Dennis Sellers