The global PC market experienced growth in the third consecutive quarter, according to the latest figures from Gartner.
The beancounters at Big G noted a 1.9 per cent rise in shipments, totalling 60.6 million units in Q2 of 2024. IDC’s figures are even more encouraging, indicating a 3 per cent increase with 64.9 million units shipped.
Analysts such as Mikako Kitagawa from Gartner view this as indicative of market recovery. At the same time, IDC’s Ryan Reith credits the growth to the excitement around AI PCs and a significant commercial refresh cycle.
Regionally, the US market has reached its highest shipment volume since Q3 of 2022, achieving a 3.4 per cent growth. The EMEA region has also seen an increase, with a 4.8 per cent rise, but the Asia/Pacific market has faced a 2.2 per cent decline, mainly due to a slowdown in China’s market. When China is excluded, the global shipments have grown by over five per cent.
The vendor rankings have remained stable, with Lenovo at the forefront, followed by HP and Dell. Apple and Acer round out the top five, both registering substantial growth.
The industry is actively promoting AI PCs, which come equipped with Neural Processing Units (NPUs). These PCs are anticipated to become more popular shortly, especially in the commercial market. IDC’s Jitesh Ubrani has observed a move towards higher average selling prices, signalling a market rebound.
Gatern said commercial upgrades, the advent of AI technology, and a stabilising market environment drive the PC market’s resurgence. No major supply chain disruptions are anticipated, paving the way for ongoing growth.
