Global PC market drops 9.8% amid COVID-19 supply outages

The global traditional PC market has taken a hit during COVID-19, despite heightened demand for desktops, notebooks and workstations, around the world.

The market saw a 9.8% year-on-year drop in the first quarter of 2020, according to the IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.

Meanwhile, widespread working-from-home mandates have created a surge in PC demand, as people look to upgrade their systems for remote work.

The IDC report shows that the decline is due to COVID-19 related supply disruptions in China — the world’s largest PC supplier.

Although supply levels were normal in the first part of the quarter, the latter half saw extended factory closures, manufacturing delays and logistical setbacks as the country battled with the crisis.

IDC Research Manager Jitesh Ubrani fears that more bad luck may be on its way for the industry, with demand also waning in the short to medium term.

"This bump in demand may be short lived, as many are fearing the worst is yet to come [with COVID-19]. This could lead to both consumers and businesses tightening their spending in the coming months," he said.

Longer term predictions are, however, more optimistic, said IDC Research Vice President Linn Huang.

"IDC believes there will be longstanding positive consequences once the dust settles," Huang said.

"Businesses that once primarily kept their users on campus will have to invest in remote infrastructure, at the very least, for continuity purposes. Consumers stuck at home have had to come to terms with how important it is to keep tech up to date. This should provide a steady, long-range tailwind for PC and monitor markets, among other categories."

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