PC shipments, encompassing desktops, notebooks, and workstations, across the United States saw an increase of 3.3 percent, reaching 16.7 million units during the fourth quarter of 2023, Canalys said.
A notable highlight of this growth was the consumer segment, which witnessed an impressive surge of 15.1 percent, driving much of the momentum during the holiday season. In contrast, commercial PC shipments experienced a dip of 2.2 percent, while the education sector faced a decline of 13.4 percent, Canalys report said.
HP (27.9 percent share), Dell (22.6 percent), Lenovo (15.7 percent), Apple (14.4 percent), Acer (4.9 percent), and Others (14.4 percent) are the leading PC brands in the US during the fourth quarter of 2023, according to Canalys.
PC Business Set to Boom
Analysts predict that this surge marks the beginning of a trend, with several quarters of growth anticipated over the next two years, particularly in 2024 and 2025, painting a promising outlook for the US PC market.
Greg Davis, an Analyst at Canalys, attributes the robust performance of the consumer segment to extended promotional periods and deep discounts throughout the quarter. He notes an improvement in consumer sentiment towards spending on electronics, following a period of lower prioritization for such purchases.
Looking ahead to 2024, Davis foresees a positive trajectory for both the commercial and education sectors. With the introduction of Windows 11 PC refresh and the emergence of AI-capable PCs, coupled with new budgets being allocated, the commercial sector is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years. Similarly, demand in the education sector is anticipated to remain healthy, buoyed by final deployments funded by the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF).
US PC Market Poised for Continued Growth in 2024 and 2025
Canalys projects further growth in the US PC market, with annual increases of 7 percent and 10 percent expected in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
According to Davis, this growth is underpinned by a more favorable macroeconomic environment anticipated from 2024 onwards. With the easing of inflation rates and the possibility of reduced interest rates, businesses are poised to invest in new and advanced devices, incorporating AI capabilities into their operations.
Davis emphasizes the significance of this timing, highlighting the expected leadership of the US in the adoption of AI-capable PCs. With various products from a range of device and CPU vendors set to enter the market throughout 2024, the stage is set for continued expansion and innovation in the PC industry.
