PC sales posted an annual increase of 14.80% in 2021, shipping the largest number of desktops and laptops since 2012.
Accordingly, shipments bounced up 34.00% from the industry’s low point in 2017, holding 349.00 million units.
However, in the fourth quarter, PC sales edged up 1.00% only to 92.70 million units over the previous year.
Still, the full-year growth is a remarkable recovery from its decline when smartphones replaced it as the highest-volume product in the electronics business.
Subsequently, lockdowns and the shift in remote work and learning during the Covid-19 pandemic drove the PC sales recovery.
Households bought new laptops and PC units for schoolchildren in virtual classes. At the same time, companies purchased equipment for employees working from home.
Moreover, the rebound came along with the temporary shortages in PCs as the world grappled with supply constraints from a chip shortage.
In line with this, some experts warned that the sales pace would not be sustainable after the pandemic recedes.
Last month, International Data Corporation (IDC), a market research firm, said that PC sales had pulled past the peak from pandemic demand. They also forecasted a slowdown this year.
Regardless, market participants remained optimistic that the sector would continue its current trajectory.
Apple and Dell Gain Share in PC Sales
Moreover, shipments of personal computers from Apple Inc. and Dell Technologies Inc. extensively rose in 2021.
Heavyweight Apple saw a 22.10% gain to 27.80 million units in its PC sales.
Consequently, the impressive result benefited from the purchases of the M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro models.
Similarly, Dell shipments elevated 17.90% to 59.30 million computers.
The company executive Rahul Tikoo mentioned that the present health crisis fueled a permanent shift in buying behavior where everyone needs their own PC.
Meanwhile, China’s Lenovo Group Limited was the largest manufacturer of the year. According to the tabulations, its shipments strengthened 14.10% to 81.90 million.
It surpassed HP Inc., which posted a 9.30% jump to 74.10 million. The American company now faced one of the most significant issues in the industry with obtaining components.
