PC and Tablet shipments are on a notable upswing, according to a recent Canalys report. The data reveals that US PC shipments are projected to grow by 5% in 2024 and an additional 8% in 2025. The first quarter of 2024 has already shown promising signs, with 14.8 million shipments recorded. Canalys forecasts nearly 69 million PC shipments to the US by the end of 2024.
Windows 10's End of Support: A Catalyst for Growth
A significant driver behind this growth is the announcement of Windows 10's End of Support. Both consumer and Small-Medium Business (SMB) segments are heavily investing in new hardware, as older Windows 10 PCs are incompatible with Windows 11. This incompatibility has led to a surge in PC shipments, as users seek to upgrade their systems to meet the new requirements.
The PC shipment rate is expected to increase aggressively in the coming months. While tablets won't experience the same level of growth, their shipments are also anticipated to rise by 2.5% this year.
Fate of Windows 10
Windows 10 will have completed a decade-long run by 2025, reaching its End of Support on October 14, 2025. Its successor, Windows 11, demands UEFI, TPM 2.0, SecureBoot, and more storage and RAM to function effectively. Some hardware upgrades are impossible, especially on portable PCs and specific-use-case devices like kiosks, making the purchase of a Windows 11 PC the only viable solution.
Businesses cannot afford to stick with Windows 10 for much longer after the EOS date due to security concerns. Even consumer edition users should avoid clinging to an unprotected OS for obvious reasons. Microsoft has plans to extend Windows 10's support for a few more years, but these plans for Business editions come at a high cost. Similar exorbitant pricing is expected for the consumer edition's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
It's important to note that extended support only provides security updates and does not include new features that are currently rolled out with each monthly update for Windows 10 22H2.
As we move closer to the end of Windows 10's lifecycle, the market dynamics for PC and Tablet shipments are set to evolve significantly. The transition period offers both challenges and opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, as they navigate the complexities of upgrading their hardware and software ecosystems.
