The U.S. presidential election on Nov. 6 could also help the PC market, he said, by bringing some clarity to the U.S.'s economic plans and thus encouraging vendors to invest in new product development.

Vendors have been trying to clear out their Windows 7 PC inventory, and demand dropped as buyers waited for Windows 8 to arrive, Daoud said. The new OS could help PC sales start to recover in the fourth quarter and into 2013.

Beyond Windows 8, a recovery in PC sales will depend on the success of thinner and lighter PCs, including products with tablet-like features such as touchscreens, instant-on and longer battery life.

"Revival of the PC market will have to be linked to the way people look at the next generation of PCs," Daoud said, adding that ultrabook prices will need to come down.

Today, ultrabook prices start at about US$600 and reach more than $1,000 for some models. Intel, the primary backer of ultrabooks, has said prices will come down in future years.