The PC market in 2024 is a bit of a rollercoaster, depending on who’s telling the story. According to IDC, global PC shipments dropped 2.4% YoY in the third quarter, down to 68.
8 million units. It’s not a nosedive, but after a strong run, the market is clearly taking a pause. IDC points to rising costs and a replenished inventory from previous quarters as the main culprits for the slowdown.
On the flip side, my colleague covered Canalys’ PC market forecast yesterday and it is offering a more upbeat take, reporting a 1.3% YoY increase in shipments, reaching 66.4 million units.
Canalys is saying the market recovery is in full swing, albeit at a modest pace. So what’s driving these mixed results? IDC sees both consumer and commercial demand coming back, especially for entry-level machines. A recovering economy and the back-to-school rush in North America have certainly helped.
But the real buzz is around AI-powered PCs. IDC highlights products like Qualcomm’s Copilot+ PCs and new AI-focused chips from Intel and AMD as future growth drivers. Apple’s highly anticipated M4-based Macs are also expected to shake things up in the premium segment.
Canalys, meanwhile, is more focused on the business side of things. They see a major boost from companies upgrading their systems ahead of Windows 10’s end-of-support in 2025. For them, this isn’t about luxury; it’s about necessity.
When it comes to the top players, both reports agree Lenovo is still king, shipping 16.5 mill.
