Source: IDC
KUCHING: The traditional personal computer (PC) market recorded its strongest growth since 2012, rising 2.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2018 (2Q18), the International Data Corporation (IDC) reported.
Based on its Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, IDC noted that the preliminary results for 2Q18 showed shipments of traditional PCs (desktop, notebook, and workstation) totaled 62.3 million units, recording solid year-on-year growth of 2.7 per cent.
The results exceeded IDC’s forecast of 0.3 per cent growth and marks the strongest y-o-y growth rate in more than six years, when the first quarter of 2012 posted growth of 4.2 per cent.
“Although helped to some extent by a weak second quarter in 2017, which was somewhat impacted by key component issues, the 2Q18 results decidedly bucked the trend from the previous three quarters, which had the market hovering slightly above or below flat growth.
“Once again business volume appeared to be the key driver with the top three companies reaping benefits across both desktop and notebook.
“Moreover, the market continued to grow for both premium as well as entry models,” it said.
It pointed out that Chrome OS-based devices, premium notebooks, and gaming PCs all further fueled the mix in the wake of improved supply and prices of graphic cards.
“Not surprisingly, the recovery is relegated to the highest echelon of the market as the top five companies all posted positive y-o-y growth, collectively growing over seven per cent and capturing nearly 78 per cent of the overall market.
“Scale, be it in the form of purchasing power to reduce costs, obtain scarce components, or channel reach, continued to be the catalyst for industry consolidation.
“From a geographic perspective, all regions exceeded forecast, with both mature and emerging markets seeing good activity,” it added.
“Although traditional PCs may not be the default device for many usage scenarios, the market continues to show pockets of resiliency as PC usage experience evolves and improves,” said Jay Chou, research manager with IDC’s Personal Computing Device Tracker.
“Even certain types of desktops are seeing growth amid this business-driven refresh cycle,” he added
“Results for the first half of 2018 have been encouraging for the US PC market despite market challenges that surfaced including expected slowdown of Chromebooks amid production inhibitors,” said Neha Mahajan, senior research analyst, Devices & Displays.
“And with sentiment looking improved for the second half of the year, the US could deliver a strong market performance for the year.” For the Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) region, IDC noted that the traditional PC market came close to IDC’s forecast, supported by positive results in India, where better than expected consumer demand and good traction in the commercial market drove shipments.
Meanwhile, it pointed out that the Department of Education project contributed to a strong increase in the commercial space in the Philippines.
“The PC market in China performed above expectations, as better than forecasted sales and the launch of new models during the 618 Festival contributed to higher sell-in of consumer notebooks.
“On the other hand, the China commercial PC market remained impacted by weak shipments to SMBs and the public sector,” it added.
On performances of specific companies, IDC noted that HP Inc continued see results from its strong portfolio and execution.
It added, HP extended its streak of consecutive quarters of y-o-y growth, further cementing its hold over all others in the market. HP grew 7.6 per cent on the year with growth in all regions.
As for Lenovo whose majority stake in its joint venture with Fujitsu took effect in 2Q18, IDC said, it came off with a good start.
“The company rode the wave of healthy refresh momentum in Japan as well as recovering channel efforts in North America to grow 11.3 per cent year on year (which includes Fujitsu volume beginning in 2Q18). All regions showed y-o-y growth,” it explained.
Dell Inc, following a good 1Q18 result, posted strong growth of 9.0 per cent, buoyed by strong performances in nearly all regions, IDC said.
As for Apple’s performance, it said, it finished the quarter with flat y-o-y growth while Acer grew 1.3 per cent y-o-y.
It noted that Acer’s focus now is on gaming and Chrome continues to help, but weakness on the commercial side also deprives it of much of the current market momentum.