Despite dwindling PC sales, small companies are thriving by selling high-end PCs

The PC market has been taking hit after hit these past few years. As PC sales continue to dwindle, big companies are struggling to stay afloat. However, this may be because big companies tend to focus on generic, low-end PCs. Smaller companies that focus more on unique, high-end computers are still thriving.

The last few years have brought no shortage of bad news for the PC market. Global sales have plunged into a nosedive that began in 2011, and the market has returned to sales figures last seen in late 2009. The ultrabook, Intel’s attempt to increase the average price of new PC laptops, remains a niche. What’s more, Windows 8′s marketshare is anemic. In short, manufacturers are fighting over a shrinking pie. Those on the losing side of the battle, like Acer, have taken tremendous losses, and even victors like Lenovo have won only modest growth. But what about smaller players like Origin, Falcon Northwest and Digital Storm?  Are they now struggling to grab scraps from a crowded table, or have they left for seats at a different restaurant?