PC Market Decline Continues: 10th Straight Quarter of Falling Shipments
Key Takeaways
- Global PC shipments fell 2.4% in Q1 2017, marking the 10th consecutive quarterly decline (Gartner)
- First time since 2007 that quarterly shipments dropped below 63 million units
- Business PC demand shows modest growth, but consumer demand continues to weaken
- Market consolidation continues, with top vendors outperforming smaller compe*****s
The State of the PC Market in Q1 2017
According to Gartner’s latest report, worldwide PC shipments declined by 2.4% year-over-year to 62.2 million units in the first quarter of 2017. This represents the 10th consecutive quarter of decline for the PC industry and the first time since 2007 that quarterly shipments fell below 63 million units.
Vendor Performance Highlights
The top six vendors and their performance:
- Lenovo: Maintained market leadership
- HP: Showed positive growth
- Dell: Continued strong performance
- Asus: Experienced shipment declines
- Apple: Held steady in the market
- Acer: Faced shipment decreases
Notably, smaller vendors outside the top six suffered a 12% decline in shipments, highlighting the ongoing market consolidation.
Diverging Industry Perspectives
While Gartner reported declines, IDC’s analysis showed slightly more optimistic results, estimating a 0.6% increase to 60.3 million units. IDC’s top five vendors were:
- HP
- Lenovo
- Dell
- Apple
- Acer
Both firms agree that smaller manufacturers faced double-digit declines (11.4% per IDC), while major vendors gained market share.
Market Dynamics and Future Outlook
Business vs. Consumer Segments
- Business PC market: Showing modest growth due to replacement cycles
- Consumer PC market: Continued decline as users delay upgrades or switch to mobile devices
Analyst Insights
Mikako Kitagawa, Gartner principal analyst:
“Winners in the business segment will ultimately be the survivors in this shrinking market. Vendors without strong business presence will face major challenges and likely exit within five years.”
Jay Chou, IDC research manager:
“Users have delayed PC replacements rather than abandoning PCs entirely. The commercial market’s replacement cycle should drive growth, while consumer segments like gaming may stabilize demand.”
The Road Ahead for PC Manufacturers
The PC industry faces several key challenges:
- Market saturation of PCs in developed economies
- Extended device lifecycles reducing replacement frequency
- Competition from mobile devices (smartphones and tablets)
- Consolidation pressure favoring top vendors
However, niche segments like gaming PCs and ruggedized laptops continue to show promise, offering specialized vendors opportunities to thrive despite overall market contraction.
📚 Featured Products & Recommendations
Discover our carefully selected products that complement this article’s topics:
🛍️ Featured Product 1: Kuhl Women’s Vantage Tank
Image: Premium product showcase
Professional-grade kuhl women’s vantage tank combining innovation, quality, and user-friendly design.
Key Features:
- Industry-leading performance metrics
- Versatile application capabilities
- Robust build quality and materials
- Satisfaction guarantee and warranty
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
🛍️ Featured Product 2: Carve Women’s Liv Eyelet Top
Image: Premium product showcase
Carefully crafted carve women’s liv eyelet top delivering superior performance and lasting value.
Key Features:
- Cutting-edge technology integration
- Streamlined workflow optimization
- Heavy-duty construction for reliability
- Expert technical support available
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
🛍️ Featured Product 3: Kuhl Women’s Klover Tank
Image: Premium product showcase
Carefully crafted kuhl women’s klover tank delivering superior performance and lasting value.
Key Features:
- Premium materials and construction
- User-friendly design and operation
- Reliable performance in various conditions
- Comprehensive quality assurance
🔗 View Product Details & Purchase
💡 Need Help Choosing? Contact our expert team for personalized product recommendations!
