Great news for PC fans! The personal computer market finally ended a long period of decline in the second quarter of 2024 (Q2″24). This positive trend comes from IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. Global PC shipments hit 64.9 million units in Q2 2024, a 3% increase from the same period last year. Even more exciting, excluding China, the global market grew by a whopping 5%, suggesting a potential comeback outside this region.
PCs Are Back! Market Sees Uptick After Years of Slump
AI Powers Up the Future of PCs
One of the hottest trends in the PC world is the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered devices. Top companies are busy creating plans for AI PCs, focusing on developing components for businesses first. IDC believes businesses offer the quickest opportunity to use AI features in PCs. This makes sense, considering many companies are currently undergoing digital transformations.
But don’t forget about AI for consumers! The consumer market for AI PCs has huge potential that’s still being explored. Industry insiders think Apple, with its upcoming product launches, will be a major player in this space. Plus, big chipmakers like Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD are expected to make significant contributions to AI PCs for both businesses and consumers.
Promotions Help Prices Bounce Back
Efforts by stores and brands that sell PCs to consumers helped the market recover. Jitesh Ubrani, a research manager at IDC, highlights the market’s successful move away from low prices caused by leftover stock from last year. This is reflected in the rise of average PC prices. The market has shifted towards offering more powerful computers and less reliance on heavy discounts.
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Who’s Who in the PC World?
Here’s a breakdown of the top five PC vendors in Q2″24, based on IDC’s data:
- Lenovo: Remained the leader with 14.7 million units shipped, capturing a 22.7% market share.
- HP: Followed closely behind with 13.7 million units shipped and a 21.1% market share.
- Dell: Secured the third spot with 10.1 million units shipped, translating to a 15.5% market share.
- Apple: Showed strong growth with 5.7 million units shipped, representing an 8.8% market share.
- Acer: Rounded out the top five with 4.4 million units shipped and a 6.8% market share.
- Other vendors: Collectively accounted for 16.3 million units shipped, capturing a combined 25.1% market share.
A Bright, But Cautious, Future
While acknowledging the PC market‘s maturity and potential challenges, Ryan Reith, group vice president with IDC’s Worldwide Device Trackers, expresses cautious optimism for the future. Two consecutive quarters of positive growth, combined with the excitement around AI PCs, paint a promising picture. The ongoing need for businesses to update their computers and continued demand for non-AI PCs further bolster this optimistic outlook.
In short, the PC market seems to be shaking off a period of slow growth. Growth is returning, and the integration of AI technology presents exciting possibilities for the future. Although challenges remain, the combined efforts of leading vendors, strategic marketing initiatives, and the evolving technological landscape suggest a potential for renewed growth in the PC market.
