Global shipments of PCs hit 63.3 million units in the fourth quarter of 2023, a rise of 0.3 per cent, marking the first increase after eight quarters of drop, according to Gartner.
The analyst firm’s research shows 2023 to be the worst year ever in PC history, falling 14.8 per cent.
This is the second year with a double-digit fall, with shipments totalling 241.8 million units.
This marks the first time that shipment volume has gone below 250 million since 2006, when 230 million units were shipped.
Big G analyst Mikako Kitagawa said the market has hit rock bottom after big adjustment and normalisation in stock, with the “slight growth” suggesting demand and supply are “finely balanced.”
But she warns this situation will likely change due to the expected component price rise in 2024 and political and economic uncertainties.
The analyst firm’s figures found that the EMEA PC market saw the highest growth of all regions with 8.7 per cent, its first year-on-year growth since the fourth quarter of 2021.
Despite the Q4 rise, Gartner’s senior research boss, analyst Ranjit Atwal, said the growth is short-lived.
“I think growth is temporary, and more negative quarters may come, but the days of 20 per cent plus falls are over. The market is settling at much lower volumes than we’ve seen before, with overall growth expected in 2024 and 2025,” he said.
Atwal added future AI PCs will bring a much-needed boost to the market.
“The PC market will be challenging, but with Windows 10 replacement cycles coming as the support window closes, older PCs also need replacing, and the marketing hype around AI PCs will create a much-needed buzz for the industry.
“But the PC industry needs to be careful they don’t get carried away by the AI PC hype. Businesses must turn cloud-based GenAI features into business benefits before they see AI PCs on the horizon.”
