Challenges Persist: Global PC Market Experiences Unprecedented Decline in 2023

In 2022, the global shipment volume for personal computers (PCs) experienced an unprecedented 16.5% decline compared to the previous year, with preliminary results indicating an additional contraction of 13.9% in 2023 compared to 2022, as reported by the International Data Corporation (IDC). This sharp downturn, considered unparalleled in the industry's recorded history, is attributed to the aftermath of the substantial surge in PC purchases driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ryan Reith, Group Vice President with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers, remarked on the volatile nature of the PC market over the past four years, describing it as a significant roller coaster with ups and downs. Despite the challenging situation, there is positive momentum for PCs in the future, especially with the anticipation of a strong year for commercial PC refresh in 2024 and continued excitement around advancements in gaming PCs.

Lenovo emerged as the leader in the global PC market in 2023, shipping 59 million units with a 22.7% market share. It was followed by HP Inc., which shipped 52.9 million units (20.4% market share), and Dell, with 40 million units (15.4% market share). While the market experienced a decline in shipments in 2023, the report suggests that the contractions have bottomed out, and growth is anticipated in 2024.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the traditional PC market witnessed the shipment of nearly 67.1 million units, reflecting a 2.7% decline compared to the prior year. Although this marks the eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year shipment volume contraction, there is optimism for recovery in the market in 2024. The fourth quarter also recorded the lowest volume since the fourth quarter of 2006, highlighting a market that is slowly recovering amidst weak demand and a reliance on substantial promotions, according to the IDC report.

(With Agency Inputs)