The US PC market experienced a 5% year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2024, with 14.8 million units shipped across various brands, according to Canalys. The analytics firm predicts that total shipments will reach 69 million by the end of the year, growing by an additional 8% to 75 million in 2025.
One of the factors driving this increase in shipments could be the end of life for Windows 10, as consumers and businesses are encouraged to consider purchasing new devices, the report suggests.
Canalys analyst Greg Davis commented on the situation, stating, “With a significant portion of the PC installed base still on Windows 10, the next four quarters are expected to bring even stronger momentum to the refresh cycle.”
Factors Contributing to Growth
PC shipments saw positive numbers at the beginning of 2024, with device vendors offering discounts post-holiday season. Consumer and enterprise spending also increased, with stable macroeconomic conditions in the US for several months, according to the analyst.
An influx of AI-powered PCs in both the Apple and Windows ecosystems could further boost shipment numbers and meet forecast estimates. The availability of on-device AI capabilities in the market is expected to excite consumers and businesses across both ecosystems.
Focus on Premium Devices
PC vendors and their partners are expected to focus on strategies to capitalize on potential consumers looking to upgrade to premium devices, positioning the US as a leader in AI PC adoption. Microsoft recently showcased its AI-fitted Copilot+ PCs, followed by Apple introducing Intelligence features at WWDC 2024.
In terms of market share, Mac computers captured a significant portion (14.2%) of the US PC market and saw a 22% year-on-year growth in Q1 2024. Among Windows PC vendors, Lenovo emerged as the leader with a 22% growth, while Dell and HP experienced a decline in numbers but still hold the highest market shares for the quarter.
Source: Canalys
