Global PC shipments have seen a positive turnaround, reaching pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024, according to the IDC Tracker report. After a two-year decline, the worldwide traditional PC market grew by 1.5% year over year with 59.8 million shipments. This growth was attributed to the low comparison base from the first quarter of 2023 when the market declined by 28.7%, marking the lowest point in PC history. The recovery was also influenced by easing inflation numbers in most regions, leading to shipment growth in the Americas and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
China’s deflationary pressures, however, affected the global PC market, particularly impacting desktop shipments due to weak demand and the preference for notebooks. Despite this, the market is expected to continue its recovery in 2024 with the introduction of newer AI PCs and commercial buyers refreshing their pandemic-era purchases. These AI PCs are anticipated to carry higher price tags, presenting opportunities for PC and component manufacturers.
Lenovo maintained its position as the top company in worldwide traditional PC shipments, experiencing growth as a result of the significant decline in shipments in the first quarter of 2023. Apple also demonstrated strong growth, attributed to a decline in the prior year. The top 5 companies, including HP Inc, Dell Technologies, Acer Group, and ASUS, contributed to the overall growth of the market.
Moving forward, the market is expected to show further improvements as AI PCs enter the market and commercial buyers upgrade their devices. The competitive landscape among the top PC manufacturers is likely to evolve in response to shifting consumer preferences and emerging technologies, driving innovation and growth in the industry.
