Personal Computing Devices to Grow 3.8 Percent in 2024, to Reach 403.5 Million Units :IDC
According
to the latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, the
global market for personal computing devices, including PCs and tablets, is set
to grow 3.8 percent in 2024, reaching 403.5 million units.
While PCs have dominated the discussion, driven primarily by
the AI PC marketing combined with the approaching end of support for Windows
10, tablets are leading the charge with nearly double-digit growth projected
for the year.
Worldwide tablet shipments are expected to grow 9.8 percent
this year, outpacing the 0.8 percent growth in PCs. However, 2025 is expected
to be a year of recovery for PCs, with growth anticipated at 4.3 percent,
driven by commercial upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
The buzz around Artificial Intelligence (AI) has dominated
tech news in the last couple years, most recently focused around on-device AI
capabilities. However, many corporate budgets are constrained due to the
overall macro environment, and companies are continuing to evaluate the need
for AI PCs/Tablets, which often come at a higher cost.
"There seems to be a big disconnect between supply and
demand as PC and platform makers are gearing up for AI PCs and tablets to be
the next big thing, but the lack of clear use cases and a bump in average selling
prices has buyers questioning the utility." said Jitesh Ubrani, research
manager with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "It's now up to
Microsoft, Apple and Google to prove the need for locally processed AI to avoid
a backlash from hardware makers and end users."
Beyond AI, in the near term the PC and Tablet markets have
some tailwinds, most notably the end of support for Windows 10. This, combined
with improvements in the global economy, are helping shine light on the PC and
tablet outlook. As a result, the commercial segment is expected to be a bright
spot within the personal computing device categories with forecast growth of
5.1 percent in 2025.
"Commercial Windows PC replacements have been
particularly pronounced in Japan recently and will continue there in the
upcoming quarters," says Bryan Ma, VP of Devices Research, IDC.
"Another notable bright spot is the rise of tablets from Chinese phone
vendors, which has found a sweet spot of quality products below $300 and should
continue to propel the markets in both China and many parts of Asia."
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