IDC: Global PC and tablet shipments are expected to drop 15.2% year-on-year in 2023

IDC has lowered its forecast for global PC and tablet shipments this year, predicting that global PC and tablet shipments will reach 384.8 million units in 2023, a decrease of 15.2% from last year. The outlook has been lowered as many macroeconomic indicators have deteriorated or remained unchanged in the past few months and demand continues to cool. However, IDC expects the market to rebound in 2024, with global sales reaching 403.1 million units, and will grow to 425 million units by the end of 2027.

"As the global economic downturn continues, consumers have tightened their spending and business buyers have delayed purchases," said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC's Mobile and Consumer Device Trackers. "Consumer demand is at risk of dying out as they return to pre-pandemic habits where PCs are not central to their daily computing needs. However, business purchases are expected to recover in 2024 and will help the PC market surpass pre-pandemic levels."

Linn Huang, research vice president for devices and displays at IDC, added: "Over the past two years, average selling prices (ASPs) have risen sharply due to component shortages, inflation, logistics disruptions, and rapid changes in product mix. As shortages suddenly turned into surpluses, we saw prices fall due to liquidation and a return to mix. This is expected to continue throughout the year, with ASPs expected to fall 2.8% to $700. This would be the first full-year ASP decline since 2015."