The number of installed PCs worldwide has crossed the one billion mark, with the installed PC base growing just under 12 per cent annually, it has emerged.

According to Gartner, the two billion mark is set to be passed by early 2014 and emerging markets are likely to drive double digit PC growth.

It is believed that mature markets such as the US, western Europe and Japan account for around 58 per cent of all installed PCs, despite accounting for about 15 per cent of the world's population.

"Rapid economic development across emerging markets is not only narrowing the disparity in average living standards, it's closing the difference in per capita PC penetration between mature and emerging markets," commented George Shiffler, research director at Gartner.

Luis Anavitarte, the company's research vice-president, added that in some developing countries the digital divide is being addressed by providing PCs directly to the less affluent.

It was also noted that the continuing fall in average selling prices and the notion that they are indispensable for advancement are other contributing factors to rising PC penetration.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent) In a recent survey of SMEs for Connect, the two most important benefits of outsourcing were 'guaranteed response times' and 'allowing in-house IT staff to concentrate on more strategic issues'

The Washington Post reported earlier in the month that Gartner predicted mobile gaming revenues to hit $4.5 billion (£2.2 billion) this year.