IC demand for PCs is unlikely to pick up until the second half of 2015, when new Intel processors and Windows 10 will be available, according to sources at Taiwan-based IC design houses.

IC orders for PCs have been slower-than-expected after the Lunar New Year, sources at PC-related IC suppliers noted. Demand prior to China's May 1 holiday has also been a disappointment, the sources said.

Sources at IC suppliers observed that demand for notebooks has relied on low-cost Chromebook devices and Apple's new MacBook Air in the second quarter. Orders for other notebooks, 2-in-1s and ultrabook devices have all reduced compared to the prior quarter, the sources said.

The arrival of the new Intel CPU and Windows 10 is likely to stimulate replacement demand for PCs, sources in Taiwan's IC design industry generally believe. Before the availability of the new chips and OS, demand for PCs and notebooks will remain sluggish, negatively affecting shipments of related chips, the sources said.