The global PC market experienced a slight decline of 2.4% year-over-year (YoY) in the third quarter of 2024 (3Q24), according to preliminary data from IDC. This follows a surge in shipments during the previous quarter, driven by rising costs and inventory replenishment.
Despite the dip, demand for PCs remains strong, particularly among consumers and commercial buyers. The recovering economy and back-to-school season in North America contributed to a concentration of demand in the entry-level segment. However, newer AI-powered PCs, such as Copilot+ PCs from Qualcomm and Intel/AMD's equivalent chips, along with Apple's upcoming M4-based Macs, are expected to drive growth in the premium segment.
While AI is expected to become ubiquitous by the end of the decade, its mass adoption will take longer than anticipated, extending into 2026. The coming year will focus on developing software, use cases, and target audiences for AI-enabled hardware.
Commercial demand outside the education sector remains robust as businesses prepare for the end of support for Windows 10. Key markets like Japan witnessed double-digit growth in 3Q24, leading this transition. Other markets are expected to follow suit in the coming quarters.
Despite the short-term slowdown, IDC forecasts modest single-digit growth for the PC market in the next year. While geopolitical risks persist, the overall outlook for the PC industry remains positive.
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