ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL-The worldwide number of personal computers (PCs) in use, including Macintosh and other platforms, surpassed 820 million in 2004 and is projected to top 1 billion in 2007, according to a report by Computer Industry Almanac Inc.

According to the report, titled "Computers In-Use by Country," the growth in PC use is slowing as the market in the industrialized world becomes saturated. However, strong PC growth will continue in the developing world for another decade.

The United States leads the world with over 220 million PCs in use-over three times the number of runner-up Japan. PC usage is growing especially rapidly in China, which is expected to surpass Japan in 2007. For more information on the report, call 847-758-3687 or visit www.c-i-a.com.