Analysts: PC market grew in 2019 for the first time in seven years

According to both IDC and Gartner, PC shipments grew in 2019. While the growth is modest from 2018, it marks the first time in seven years that the PC market has shown growth.

Gartner speaks of a growth of 0.6 percent compared to 2018 for the PC market, which, according to the company, has halted a contraction of seven consecutive years. IDC comes in a more positive outcome of global growth of 2.7 percent in 2019, comparing that to 1.7 percent growth in 2011, the last prior year in which the PC market recorded growth.

According to both research companies, Lenovo, HP and Dell were particularly able to benefit from the increased deliveries. This is because these manufacturers have a strong position in the business market. In 2019, many companies made the switch to Windows 10, which in many cases involved the purchase of new hardware.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, shipments grew 2.3 percent, according to Gartner; according to IDC, that was 4.8 percent. Only in the first quarter of 2019 did deliveries fall; in the remaining quarters, the market recorded growth, according to the analysts. For this year, IDC says it will be difficult to maintain positive numbers as the upgrade cycle comes to an end, component shortages and trade tensions persist. Gartner predicts a decline in deliveries over the next five years. The companies do not include deliveries of Chromebooks and iPads in the figures, but those of convertibles do.