Global PC shipments dropped 28% year-on-year (YoY) in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2023) to hit 56.7 million units, according to a report. The decline has been attributed to the continued delay in demand pickup amid an inventory correction during the quarter.
According to a report by Counterpoint Research, these are the lowest quarterly shipment numbers in the past 10 years – if Q1 2020 numbers are excluded. In Q1 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak interrupted manufacturing and production.
PC demand frozen for over 6 months
The report highlighted that the PC and PC components’ inventory issue continued “for more than half a year due to frozen demand and aggressive double booking.”

The report also said that despite entering the post-pandemic era with a new work environment and lifestyle, the PC industry saw an incremental demand. It said that economic downturns mired the continuous high-level demand for PCs.
Stronger momentum in second half of 2023
According to the report, PC inventory digestion will end in 2022 and it is believed that the overall PC market will start gradually recovering in the latter half of Q2 2023, paving the way for comparably stronger momentum in H2 2023.
“It is widely expected that PC demand will recover in H2 2023. PC OEMs are also looking forward to a pickup in demand following the inventory digestion. Although we did say that demand will recover post-inventory normalisation, we are afraid demand recovery will take slightly longer to start accelerating,” the report said.

Apple hit the most in Q1 2023
Lenovo remained the world’s largest PC vendor in Q1 2023, despite a 30% decline in shipments during the quarter. The company shipped 12.8 million units in Q1 2023 and grabbed a market share of 23%.
At No. 2 is HP which reported a negative growth of 24% and retained 21% market share. Dell reportedly performed well in the US which helped the company grab third spot with a 17% market share.
Apple suffered the most, marking a 38% YoY decline in shipments due to a higher base in the year-ago period and a longer replacement cycle. The fifth spot went to Asus which registered a 28% decline in Q1 2023.