according to Canalys ofup to dateForecasts, after seven consecutive quarters of decline, the global personal computer (PC) shipments are about to return to growth. The market is expected to realize 5% of growth in the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by a strong holiday selling season and an improving macroeconomic environment. Looking ahead, shipments are expected to reach 267 million units for the full year 2024, up 8% from 2023, driven by the Windows refresh cycle as well as the AI Driven by the rise of functionality and Arm-based devices.
The global PC market is on the road to recovery and is expected to return to 2019 shipment levels next year," said Ben Yeh, analyst at Canalys. "The impact of AI on the PC industry will be far-reaching, with leading OEMs, processor makers, and operating system providers focusing on launching new AI-enabled models in 2024. These initiatives will enhance the demand for refreshing especially in the business segment. The total shipment share of AI-enabled PCs in 2024 is expected to be approximately 19%. This includes all M-series Mac products as well as anticipated emerging products in the Windows ecosystem. However, Canalys expects the development and adoption of AI-enabled PCs to grow rapidly as more compelling use cases emerge and AI capabilities become an expected feature."
After a period of delayed purchases, the business segment is expected to see demand growth in 2024," said Ishan Dutt, principal analyst at Canalys. "Channel sentiment on next year's PC business performance is positive, with 47% partners expecting their Windows PC shipments to grow 10% or more next year in the November survey. Small and medium-sized businesses are seen as a strong opportunity, as recent macroeconomic difficulties have had a greater impact on their PC purchase budgets over the past few quarters. Next year will also see substantial growth in Arm-based PCs, driven primarily by Qualcomm's X Elite chips. While initial acceptance in the commercial environment may be limited, improvements in terms of increased power efficiency and battery life will be an advantage that partners can bring to their customers."