COVID-19 drives 5.2% growth in Australian PC Market in Q1, due to demand for work from home devices

According to the latest IDC Quarterly Personal Computing Devices Tracker 2020Q1, the Australian PC market (desktops, notebooks, workstations) grew by 5.2% – a total of 1.039M units. The market was driven by growth in commercial and consumer segments, with commercial posting a 5.4% increase and consumer with a 4.9% increase YoY.

Shipments for desktops were boosted by PC refreshes related to Windows 10 migration at the beginning of the year, but dropped off towards the end of quarter due to supply issues and curbed demand due to COVID-19 related lockdowns. On the other hand, demand for notebooks surged towards the end of the quarter, posting an increase of 5.5% YoY, bringing the total shipments to 744,000. “We expect increased demand for notebooks to continue well into the second quarter of the year, with lockdowns continuing, more people working from home, and migration to online learning,” says Reynard Lowell, IDC Australia’s Associate Market Analyst for PC devices.

“Notebooks will continue to take share from desktops, especially in the commercial segment, as more people are working from home. This may result in declining desktop shares in the future, as new refreshes will likely be on the same form factor. Furthermore, businesses may realise that notebooks can be as powerful as desktops, with the added benefit of portability, which may be preferable in a post pandemic era, where more companies adopt a more flexible remote work culture.”

Despite the positive result in 2020Q1, and expected YoY increase of 2.9% in 2020Q2, IDC predicts that the PC Market will decline overall in 2020. “The boost in purchases during the first half of the year will likely result in a softer second half, as demand is being brought forward. Challenging times lay ahead with a series of potential economic repercussions. Stimulus winding down, delayed corporate expenditure, and unemployment will negatively impact the market.”, says Lowell.

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About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world’s leading media, data and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com/anz. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDCAustralia.
 

About IDC Australia/New Zealand (A/NZ)

With offices in Sydney and Auckland, IDC A/NZ has a strong team of local technology and industry analysts, as well as consulting talent, complementing IDC’s Asia Pacific and international research expertise. IDC underpins its unrivaled global coverage with knowledge, expertise and support, delivering insightful analysis and credible forecasts to help customers deliver sound business strategies. IDC’s multinational, multilingual and multicultural teams bring a deep understanding of industry and issues that affect the IT markets.