PC sales tipped to fall

Worldwide personal-computer sales are expected to decline for the first time since 1985 this year, by about 1.6 per cent, as demand slows in the US and Japan.

A research report from International Data Corp says sales will fall to 129.6 million units, from 131.7 million in 2000.

Microsoft's new Windows XP operating system is not likely to help sales until mid-2002.