Global PC shipments in 2021, suffering from supply shortage, high level since 2012

Worldwide PC shipments (forecast) in 2021 were the highest since 2012. The fourth quarter slowed down due to the impact of supply chain problems, and the increase in demand that started with the new corona crisis is beginning to converge. The list predicts.

Gartner's global PC shipment forecast for the fourth quarter of 2021 is 88,392,000 units, down 5% year-on-year. It was the first negative figure in seven quarters. In addition to the prolonged supply chain problem, Chromebook shipments decreased due to the resumption of face-to-face classes at public schools, and the sharp decline in the US market of 24.2% became the brakes on the whole. In EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), sales increased by 7.4% year-on-year to over 26 million units. The Asia-Pacific market, excluding Japan, increased by 11.5% year-on-year.

The fourth-quarter year-on-year decline "seems to mark the end of the massive and unexpected growth in PC demand triggered by the pandemic." However, it was a slowdown compared to 2020, which saw record growth, and PC demand remained strong in the fourth quarter. Until now, the PC market has increased the number of shipments while increasing the average selling price (ASP). Even if the slowdown continues, we do not expect the market to fall to the pre-coronavirus level for at least two to three years.

By vendor, Lenovo, the leader, decreased by 11.9% year-on-year. It was strongly affected by the slowdown in the US market and sluggish demand for Chromebooks. They also contributed to the decline of second-ranked HP, but the company's decline was mitigated by strong growth in the Asia-Pacific market. Third-place Dell saw a 7.9% year-over-year increase, driven by growth in Latin America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific.

The global PC shipment forecast for the full year of 2021 is 339,769,000 units, an increase of 9.9% from the previous year. Gartner forecasts PC shipments starting in 2021, including desktop PCs, laptops, ultra-mobiles (such as tablet PCs) and Chromebooks.

IDC's PC shipment forecast for the fourth quarter (desktop PCs, notebook PCs, workstations) is 92.653 million units, up 1% year-on-year. The company also acknowledges the slowdown in consumer demand and educational demand in the US market and other markets, but says, "There is no change in the view that the entire PC market has been reset to a much higher level than before the new corona disaster."

The global PC shipment forecast for the full year of 2021 is 348.8 million units, an increase of 14.8% from the previous year. The PC market was hampered by a severe logistics environment and supply shortages, and it was the highest level since 2012.