Computer sales fall in the first quarter

(San Francisco) Global personal computer sales slumped earlier this year, falling to pre-pandemic levels amid a sharp drop in demand, two published studies show Sunday and Monday.

Fewer than 57 million personal computers were sold worldwide in the first quarter, down 29% from the same period in 2022, according to IDC.

It is also much less than the 59.2 million devices sold at the start of 2019, and the 60.6 million from January to March 2018.

IDC on Sunday cited “weak” demand, “excess” inventory and a “worsening” macroeconomic climate among the main reasons for the drop.

“Demand remains subdued across all categories, particularly as interest rate hikes continue in the U.S., Europe and other markets where reducing inflation is the top priority,” Ishan noted. Canalys analyst Dutt in a press release on Monday.

Apple recorded the most drastic decrease: its computer sales fell 46% year on year, to 4 million devices sold in the first quarter, according to Canalys. The Californian giant comes in fourth position in terms of market share, behind Lenovo, HP and Dell, and just ahead of Asus.

The brands therefore all end up with large stocks. “Despite the heavy price cuts, stores and manufacturers will keep inventories high through mid-year and possibly even into the third quarter,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research director at IDC.

The firm believes, however, that this “pause in growth and demand” could give companies some time to try to reduce their dependence on factories in China, amid significant tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The personal computer market is expected to rebound in 2024, according to Canalys and IDC. Analysts are counting on the economic recovery, the transition to the Windows 11 operating system and the need to update obsolete equipment.