Global personal computer shipments fell by 15 per cent year-on-year in 2022, according to a new report by Counterpoint Research.
The report stated that macroeconomic headwinds, increasing inflation pressure, and frozen PC demand affected the global PC market in 2022. It explained that shipments left the fourth quarter of 2022 with a record-high YoY decline of 27.8 per cent to reach 65.2 million units. Total shipment for the year was 286 million units.
It said, “Although inventory levels of several OEMs and ODMs likely peaked in Q3 2022, the year-end season failed to accelerate the PC shipment momentum in Q4.
“At 286 million units, the total PC shipments for 2022 also reflect a muted global PC demand with four consecutive quarters of YoY shipment declines. Therefore, we are not expecting a decent rebound in H1 2023.
“Macroeconomic headwinds, increasing inflation pressure and frozen PC demand affected the global PC market in 2022, with shipments declining 15 per cent YoY. Besides, consumers who bought new PCs were still enjoying the latest models, whereas enterprises were working more carefully on their budgets.
“Also, the lack of appealing functions and financial support could not bring in incremental demand in 2022, not to mention the aggressive inventory digestion target of OEMs since H1 2022.”
According to the report, Lenovo led the market in Q4 2022, with HP securing second place, and Dell in third.
It added, “Apple’s comparatively tiny three per cent YoY shipment decline in Q4 2022 helped the company close the book with a flattish shipment volume performance for 2022.
“Apple kept gaining market share at the expense of x86-based vendors and recorded a double-digit share in the second half of 2022 and 9.4 per cent in the full year. Arm-based M-series models helped the company weather the slump cycle in both consumer and commercial devices in 2022.”
The report also predicted that global PC shipment volumes could reach higher than pre-COVID levels in 2023 and beyond because of continuous work environment and lifestyle changes and delayed procurement from both consumer and commercial sectors after H1 2023.
It stated that consumer demand is likely to see a gradual rebound in H2 2023.
Meanwhile, the firm in its ‘Top 10 Macro Risks For Tech World in 2023’ stated that the risk of economic recession will continue to impact the tech industry despite the post-pandemic boom. It explained that many emerging markets did not enjoy the post-pandemic boom, which resulted in a notable drop in living standards.
Source: The Punch