Backside line: Market analysts at IDC have launched their newest insights into traits within the PC business. Whereas shoppers proceed to buy computer systems and retailers are replenishing their inventory, vital modifications are anticipated within the coming months, leaving the market’s future unsure.
The Worldwide Information Company mentioned the PC market skilled modest development in 2024, with a whole lot of tens of millions of programs shipped to distribution channels and finish prospects. Echoing predictions made by different analysts, the Blackstone-owned market analysis agency confirmed that 2025 is shaping as much as be a turbulent yr for the know-how sector.
In accordance with IDC, PC shipments within the fourth quarter of 2024 rose by 1.8 p.c in comparison with the identical interval in 2023, with 68.9 million items reaching the market. Over the total yr, distributors shipped a complete of 262.7 million PCs, marking a one p.c year-over-year enhance. Whereas the expansion charge was modest, IDC Analysis Supervisor Jitesh Ubrani famous that it alerts a gradual however regular restoration, leaving room for optimism out there.
A number of components contributed to the expansion in PC shipments. In China, substantial state subsidies boosted client demand, resulting in better-than-expected efficiency within the phase. Within the US and Europe, vacation gross sales promotions incentivized prospects to buy new PCs. In the meantime, the enterprise market noticed a surge in {hardware} upgrades as companies ready for the tip of Home windows 10 help, scheduled for October 2025.
In accordance with IDC figures, Lenovo maintained its place because the world’s largest PC producer in 2024, capturing a 24.5 p.c market share and attaining a 4.8% p.c year-over-year development. HP Inc. ranked second with a 19.9 p.c market share, although it was the one firm to expertise unfavorable development in 2024, posting a 1.7 p.c decline. Dell, Apple, and Asus secured the third, fourth, and fifth spots, with market shares of 14.4 p.c, 10.1 p.c, and 6.9 p.c, respectively.
As different analysis companies have highlighted in latest months, IDC notes that the subsequent US administration may have a major influence on the know-how market. The looming menace of latest or elevated tariffs is elevating considerations throughout the business, leaving some manufacturers going through a interval of appreciable uncertainty.
“The general macroeconomic considerations appear to be overshadowing among the progress and pleasure round AI PCs,” IDC VP Ryan Reith mentioned.
Whereas the business is pushing for purchasers to undertake new programs geared up with NPUs and different superior applied sciences, organizations are nonetheless debating the tangible use circumstances for AI. Moreover, customers are usually not speeding to buy new PCs particularly for AI functions. IDC acknowledges that on-device AI for PCs is inevitable, although it should possible take longer to grow to be mainstream than initially anticipated.
