- Global PC market shows 3% YoY growth in Q2 2024.
- Apple sees 20.8% increase in Mac shipments, leading major brands.
- Lenovo retains market leader position with 3.7% shipment growth.
- AI-capable PCs and commercial refresh cycle drive market recovery.
- Dell experiences 2.4% decline in shipments, contrasting overall positive trends.
Main AI News:
The global PC market is witnessing a notable resurgence, buoyed by a renewed interest in AI-capable devices and a standout performance from industry leader Apple. According to the latest data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), the traditional PC market experienced a 3% year-over-year growth in the second quarter of 2024, marking its second consecutive quarter of expansion after a prolonged decline.
In the report, it is revealed that global PC shipments reached 64.9 million units in Q2 2024, with Apple emerging as the top performer among major brands. The Cupertino-based tech giant achieved an impressive 20.8% increase in Mac shipments compared to the previous year, significantly outpacing its competitors and solidifying its position in the global PC market.
This resurgence comes as a welcome development for an industry that has grappled with challenges in recent years. The PC market had previously seen seven consecutive quarters of decline, making this turnaround particularly noteworthy. While the overall market benefited from favorable comparisons to 2023, the growth was uneven across regions.
Notably, the weak performance in China continued to constrain the market’s full potential. Excluding China, the global PC market showed even more robust growth, with shipments increasing by over 5% year-over-year. This disparity underscores the uneven nature of the recovery and the ongoing challenges in specific key markets.
Apple’s exceptional performance can be attributed to several factors, including the growing popularity of its M-series chips, which have garnered acclaim for their power efficiency and performance. The company’s emphasis on integrating its hardware and software ecosystems has also likely heightened consumer interest in Mac products.
While Apple led in terms of growth rate, other major manufacturers also observed positive trends. Lenovo maintained its position as the market leader with a 3.7% increase in shipments, capturing 22.7% of the market share. HP Inc. closely followed with a 21.1% market share and a 1.8% growth in shipments. Acer Group also performed well, achieving a 13.7% increase in shipments.
Interestingly, Dell Technologies was the sole top-five vendor to experience a decline, with a 2.4% decrease in shipments compared to Q2 2023. Nonetheless, the company retained a significant 15.5% market share.
The stage is set for the AI PC revolution
Industry analysts attribute the overall market recovery to several factors, including a commercial refresh cycle and growing interest in AI-capable PCs. Ryan Reith, group vice president at IDC’s Worldwide Device Trackers, pointed out that while the PC market faces challenges due to maturity and economic headwinds, the combination of two consecutive quarters of growth, market hype around AI PCs, and an ongoing commercial refresh cycle has injected new vitality into the mature market.
The buzz surrounding AI-enhanced PCs is expected to propel further growth in the months ahead, with major industry players outlining their initial strategies for AI integration. While the commercial market is seen as having the most significant short-term potential for AI in the PC industry, there is increasing anticipation for developments in the consumer segment.
IDC also underscores that all eyes are on Apple to potentially shape the consumer AI narrative later this year with anticipated product launches. However, the report notes, “it shouldn’t be overlooked that Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD are all likely to make significant strides in both consumer and commercial AI PCs.”
Beyond Apple and AI: What’s next in the global PC market?
In addition to the AI factor, the market has benefited from promotional activities by consumer-oriented brands and channels, shared Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. He believes the industry has moved beyond the rock-bottom pricing brought about by excess inventory last year, leading to growth in average selling prices due to richer configurations and reduced discounting.
As the PC market continues its recovery, it faces both opportunities and challenges. The ongoing commercial refresh cycle and the emergence of the AI PC segment present significant growth prospects. However, regional disparities, particularly weakness in the Chinese market, remain a concern for overall market performance.
The industry will closely monitor how manufacturers capitalize on the AI trend and whether they can sustain the current growth momentum. Apple’s strong performance sets a high bar for competitors and may prompt increased innovation and marketing efforts.
Conclusion:
The resurgence of the global PC market, buoyed by strong performances from Apple and other major manufacturers, signals a promising shift. The focus on AI-capable PCs and sustained growth in shipments highlight renewed market vitality, setting a competitive standard for innovation and market expansion. As AI integration continues to gain traction, manufacturers are poised to capitalize on evolving consumer and commercial demands, potentially reshaping industry dynamics in the coming quarters.
