Market research firm IDC has released its tracking report on global PC shipments for the first quarter of 2024. According to the report, after two years of decline, the global PC market rebounded in the first quarter of 2024, with shipments reaching 59.8 million units, a growth of 1.5% compared to the first quarter of 2023. This figure has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, closely resembling the 60.5 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2019.
IDC attributes the recovery in part to the exceptionally low global PC shipments in the first quarter of 2023, which saw a year-on-year decline of 28.7% compared to 2022, hitting an all-time low. Shipments began to rebound in most regions, driving growth in the Americas, Middle East, and Africa. However, demand in the Chinese PC market remains sluggish. As the largest consumer of desktop computers, the softness in the Chinese market contributed to another decline in global desktop shipments, influenced by both laptops and economic conditions.
According to IDC, despite the sluggish performance in the Chinese market, the PC market is expected to continue its recovery in 2024, driven by the launch of AI PCs this year and enterprise users replacing personal computers purchased during the pandemic. As shipment volumes increase, the prices of AI PCs are also set to rise, presenting greater business opportunities for brands and manufacturers.
According to shipments from manufacturers, the top six are Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, Acer, and Asus. Acer and Asus are tied for fifth place due to their close shipment volumes and market shares. Lenovo remains in the lead with shipments reaching 13.7 million units, a year-on-year growth of 7.8%, capturing a market share of 23.0%, up by 1.4 percentage points from the previous year. Apple, on the other hand, emerges as the fastest-growing manufacturer with 4.8 million units shipped, marking a 14.6% year-on-year increase.
