In the realm of PC manufacturing, the deceleration of shipment declines emerged as a noticeable trend during the third quarter of 2023. While the statistics varied slightly depending on the source, IDC, Gartner, and Canalys all concurred that there was an overall improvement. Shipments, although still in a state of decline, exhibited a slower descent. However, the most astonishing revelation in these data points was the significant setback suffered by Apple, which saw a substantial drop ranging from 23% to 29%.
Let's delve into the overarching figures first. According to IDC, there was a 7.6% year-over-year decrease in the market, resulting in 68.2 million PCs shipped. Gartner reported an even steeper decline of 9%, with 64.3 million units dispatched. Meanwhile, Canalys recorded a 7% downturn, accounting for 65.6 million units shipped.
Despite these reductions, there was a consensus that the prolonged slump in the PC market might be coming to an end. With the holiday shopping season just around the corner in the final quarter, there was a glimmer of hope. Mikako Kitagawa, Director Analyst at Gartner, voiced this sentiment, stating, "There is evidence that the PC market's decline has finally bottomed out."
IDC's Jitesh Ubrani concurred but added a caveat. He remarked, "The PC industry is gradually embarking on a path to recovery, driven by a device refresh cycle and the impending end of support for Windows 10. However, in the interim, the PC industry may encounter further challenges."
When we shift our focus to individual manufacturers, it becomes evident that Apple bore the brunt of the decline. IDC reported a sharp downturn of -23.1%, Gartner noted a decline of -24.2%, and Canalys recorded a staggering -29.1%. The only other company experiencing double-digit reductions was Asus, with figures of -10.7%, -11.5%, and -10.7% respectively.
For those seeking a glimmer of positivity, HP emerged as the sole company in positive territory. IDC and Gartner both reported an increase of 6.4%, with Canalys slightly deviating at 6.5%.
Kieren Jessop of Canalys foresees a promising future for the PC market, attributing it to the integration of AI. He expressed, "Canalys anticipates a surge in the adoption of AI-capable PCs starting from 2025, with these devices constituting approximately 60% of all PCs shipped by 2027. Vendors and channel partners who seize this opportunity will benefit from the premium prices commanded by AI-capable PCs and the broader scope to offer services and solutions alongside hardware."