Last week, data from several agencies indicated a recovery in global PC shipments in 24Q1; Huawei unveiled the MateBook X Pro 2024; AMD released the Ryzen 7 8700F and Ryzen 5 8400F; Lenovo's ThinkBook X 2024 is available for pre-order, with the slim AI flagship starting at 7499 CNY.
In Q1 2024, global PC shipments rebounded, driven by AI-powered PCs.
Both IDC and Canalys have released their reports tracking global PC shipments for the first quarter of 2024. According to IDC, after two years of decline, the global PC market saw a recovery in Q1 2024, with shipments reaching 59.8 million units, a 1.5% increase compared to Q1 2023. IDC attributes this recovery partly to the exceptionally low PC shipments in Q1 2023, which had declined by 28.7% compared to 2022, hitting an all-time low. Shipments in most regions have begun to recover, driving growth in the Americas, Middle East, and Africa. However, demand in the Chinese PC market remains weak. As the largest consumer of desktop PCs, China's sluggish market led to another decline in global desktop shipments, influenced by both notebooks and economic factors.
Meanwhile, Canalys' latest report indicates a healthy growth trend in the global personal computer (PC) market in Q1 2024, with total shipments of desktops and notebooks increasing by 3.2% year-on-year to reach 57.2 million units. Notebook shipments grew by 4.2% to 45.1 million units, while desktop shipments remained relatively stable, declining by only 0.4% to reach 12.1 million units.
Canalys believes that while the growth in the first quarter was limited, it indicates a sustained recovery in PC demand across various sectors. Benefiting from the updates of Windows 11 and the development of AI PCs, the PC market is expected to accelerate throughout the year. The widespread introduction of AI PCs in the second half of the year will further drive market development, offering innovative and attractive products to users who postponed purchases during the pandemic. Canalys predicts that in 2024, shipments of AI PCs integrated with dedicated AI accelerators such as NPUs will reach nearly 50 million units.
Hot Take: The concept of AI PCs is indeed driving the recovery of the PC market. Will you consider upgrading to an AI PC?
Huawei Launches MateBook X Pro 2024 Starting at 11,198 Yuan
Huawei officially launched the new MateBook X Pro 2024 ultrabook at the Huawei HarmonyOS Spring Eco-Communication Conference last week. Weighing only 980g, it offers the option of up to Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, combining lightweight design with powerful performance. In terms of pricing, the Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 offers three configurations starting at 11,199 CNY, with pre-orders already open and official sales starting at 10:08 on April 18th.
In terms of configuration, the Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 is equipped with the all-new Intel Core Ultra processor, with the option to upgrade to the Core Ultra 9 185H processor, along with an upgraded Huawei Shark Fin cooling system, delivering up to 40W of performance. It still supports Super Turbo performance scheduling, providing faster speeds in various usage scenarios.
In terms of appearance, the Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 adopts aerospace-grade magnesium alloy material and a self-developed Peregrine architecture, making it lighter, weighing only 980g. It still features a microfiber body surface and adopts a leap-line micro-arc design on the side, offering three color options: ink black, porcelain white, and clear blue.
In terms of display, the Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 is the world's first laptop to feature a flexible OLED screen. It boasts a 3120x2080 resolution flexible OLED display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, a contrast ratio of 1000000:1, a peak brightness of 1000 nits, and a refresh rate of 120Hz. It supports 10-bit color depth and displays 1.07 billion colors, with professional color accuracy of △E < 1, and also supports 10-point touch.
The Huawei MateBook X Pro 2024 also introduces the Pangguo large model, offering a new AI summary function for generating content summaries with a single click, providing stronger support for office work and learning. It also brings a new AI space, providing one-click access to AI functions, supporting over 100 AI intelligent agents covering various aspects of daily use.
Fresh & Spicy Review: Huawei has truly produced a flagship ultra-lightweight laptop that leads globally. This one is definitely worth its premium price.
AMD Introduces Ryzen 7 8700F and Ryzen 5 8400F Processors
During the recent AMD Channel Summit held in Beijing, AMD unveiled two new products in the Ryzen 8000F series to its channel partners. These processors, the Ryzen 7 8700F and Ryzen 5 8400F, are now listed on the AMD official website. Based on their specifications and suffixes, these processors appear to be the result of disabling integrated graphics cores from the Ryzen 8000G series.
The Ryzen 7 8700F utilizes the Phoenix cores found in mobile processors. It features the same 8 cores and 16 threads as the Ryzen 7 8700G, with 8MB of L2 cache and 16MB of L3 cache. The core frequency ranges from 4.1 to 5.0GHz, slightly lower than the 4.2 to 5.1GHz range of the 8700G. Despite omitting integrated graphics, the NPU remains intact, supporting Ryzen AI.
The Ryzen 5 8400F is derived from the Ryzen 5 8600G, which was neutered due to its adoption of a big.LITTLE core design. However, the Ryzen 5 8400F features a design with 6 Zen 4 big cores, boasting 6MB of L2 cache and 16MB of L3 cache, with a base frequency of 4.2GHz and a boost frequency of 4.7GHz, albeit with more severe frequency throttling. Additionally, the Ryzen 5 8400F also lacks integrated graphics and NPU, meaning it does not support Ryzen AI.
Both new processors maintain a TDP of 65W. Due to their use of Phoenix cores, they differ from Ryzen 7000 processors in that they do not support PCIe 5.0 expansion. The Ryzen 7 8700F and Ryzen 5 8400F are currently only shipping to the global OEM market, with related complete machine products already available for sale.
Fresh and Spicy Review: Currently, the overall machine prices seem affordable. If you're considering getting an entry-level gaming machine, it might be worth considering.
Lenovo ThinkBook X 2024 Pre-sale: Slim AI Flagship Starting at 7499 Yuan
Last month, Lenovo announced the ThinkBook X 2024 laptop, claiming it to be the world's first stainless magnesium alloy product of its kind, and it has received Intel EVO platform certification, positioning it as an AI flagship notebook. Currently, this laptop has been listed on domestic platforms for pre-sale, starting at 7499 CNY for the initial release, with support for a 6-month interest-free installment plan.
The ThinkBook X 2024 is powered by Intel Core Ultra 9 185H/Ultra 5 125H processors, featuring configurations of 6P+8E+2LPE/4P+8E+2LPE, offering a total of 16 cores 22 threads/14 cores 18 threads. With a maximum turbo frequency of 5.1/4.5 GHz, it boasts a new Iris Xe graphics card and an independent NPU. Paired with 16/32GB of LPDDR5x-8400 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, it ensures high-speed performance.
This model introduces a new cooling system, incorporating a 0.8mm heat plate for the first time, along with dual fans, three exhaust vents, and an internal blow-type air duct design, significantly enhancing heat dissipation efficiency.
The ThinkBook X 2024 features a 13.5-inch display with an outstanding screen-to-body ratio of 97%, ultra-thin 1.9mm bezels, a 3:2 aspect ratio, and a resolution of 2880 x 1920. It offers a dynamic refresh rate of 120Hz, brightness of 500 nits, 100% sRGB color gamut coverage, and comes with factory hardware calibration by TCON. It has received certifications for low blue light emission, eye protection, and comfort from Germany's Rheinland TUV, supports HDR400, and provides an optional touchscreen.
In addition, the ThinkBook X 2024 embodies a business aesthetic design of utmost beauty, lightness, and simplicity. Its A-side features a striking color design and CNC integrated molding process, maintaining a sense of fashionable business style. It comes in a sleek Moonlight Gray color, measuring as thin as 12.9mm and weighing only 1.14kg (approximately 1.23kg for the touchscreen version), creating an exquisitely minimal visual effect. Additionally, with 4.5mm ultra-thin side bezels, a unique borderless keyboard, and a concealed ultra-small hinge, the laptop unfolds to reveal a clean and seamless C-side.
In terms of other specifications, this notebook supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, boasts a built-in 74Wh battery, and includes a 65W adapter. It features three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a large keycap borderless keyboard, an FHD IR camera, Lenovo's Magic Bay innovation module, and four Harman Kardon speakers supporting Dolby Atmos panoramic sound, along with high-quality array microphones.
Fresh and spicy review: Lenovo's new ThinkBook is indeed a highly recommended ultrabook, being both lightweight and thin while also offering a relatively affordable price point.
