PC shipments set to suffer into 2023 amid slower consumer demand

IDC figures show the combined market for PCs and tablets is forecast to decline 2.6 per cent in 2023

PC and tablet shipments are set to suffer into 2023 as consumer demand slows, according to new research.

Analyst firm IDC says inflation, a weakening global economy and the surge in buying over the past two years are the leading causes for the reduced outlook.

It says global shipments of traditional PCs are forecast to decline 12.8 per cent in 2022 to 305.3m units while tablet shipments will fall 6.8 per cent to 156.8m.

"Further contraction is also expected in 2023 as consumer demand has slowed," IDC said.

It's figures show the combined market for PCs and tablets is forecast to decline 2.6 per cent in 2023 before returning to growth in 2024.

"Though demand is slowing, the outlook for shipments remains above pre-pandemic levels," said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers.

"Long-term demand will be driven by a slow economic recovery combined with an enterprise hardware refresh as support for Windows 10 nears its end. Educational deployments and hybrid work are also expected to become a mainstay driving additional volumes."

Linn Huang, research vice president of devices and displays, added it expects "worsening consumer sentiment" to result in further consumer market contractions over the next six quarters.

"Economic recovery in time for the next major refresh cycle could propel some growth in the outer years of our forecast. Though volumes won't hit pandemic peaks, we expect the consumer market to drive towards more premium ends of the market," he added.