During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to telecommuting, PC sales increased significantly. Normality is returning little by little, this is generating important changes in the industry. According to preliminary data from IDC, pc salesbe it desktops, laptops and workstationshas fallen by 5.1%.
The confinement due to the coronavirus generated a great increase in the world of telecommuting. Many found that they had equipment that was not up to scratch or many did not have a computer, just their smartphone or a tablet in the best of cases. This caused a strong demand for computers, leading many manufacturers to run out of stock.
HP’s PC sales plummet and ASUS’s skyrocket
We have seen in the last two years of the pandemic how PC sales rose at a double-digit rate. The circumstances created a very propitious framework for the sale of new computer equipment. Currently, the situation is very different and of course, that has been noticed. During the first quarter of 2022 there has been a notable drop.
It has gone from 84.8 million devices distributed in the first quarter of 2021 to 80.5 million in the first quarter of 2022. PC sales remain above 80 million, something that has not happened since 2012.
IDC highlights that the drop in sales is within expectations, so in this sense, nothing new. They do highlight that at a time when the supply chain is in a very bad situation, more than 80 million pieces of equipment have been shipped.
IDC’s report on PC sales leaves us with other interesting data. Lenovo leads the market, although it registers a drop of more than 9% in shipments. hp seems to be in free fall, suffering a drop in shipments of almost 18%. Acer also shows a drop in shipments close to 6%.
On the other hand, we have the companies that register an increase in terms of shipments. highlights ASUS in the 5 position with a increase in shipments of almost 18%. Dell posts a shipment increase of just over 6% and Apple posts a rise of more than 4%.
It is also highlighted within the report that there are emerging markets that have been neglected, especially during the pandemic. It is also noteworthy that in the high-end segment, demand is remaining quite stable.
Back to normal
Supply problems are not ruled out in the coming weeks and a sharper drop in sales. China has partially stopped production of laptops due to lack of supplies.
Logistical problems continue due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is causing a lack of ships that can transport the goods. In addition, the vetoes against Russia are causing equipment not to be sold in that country. Intel, AMD and NVIDIA have announced a total ban on the country, not selling components to them.
As is well highlighted in the report, the fall is within the expected and the logistical problems seem to be less than expected.
