NEEDHAM, MA – PC shipment volumes grew 12.9% in 2020, says International Data Corp. This momentum is expected to carry forward into 2021. IDC forecasts 18.2% growth for the traditional PC market, with shipments reaching 357.4 million this year. IDC's outlook remains stronger than historical levels with a CAGR of 2.5% for the 2020-2025 forecast period.

Despite many regions beginning their reopening process from Covid-19, PC demand across the globe remains strong and in some cases at record levels exiting 2020, says IDC. The largest drivers of demand continue to be consumers and students needing reliable systems to be productive and connected, and corporate upgrades. Additionally, IDC believes strong demand exists for new PCs to enable hybrid use cases that will be required as the world finds a post-Covid-19 normal.

"While companies around the world continue to determine reopening plans and what the 'new normal' will look like, PC demand will experience meaningful tailwinds," said Ryan Reith, program VP with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "This is all happening while education backlogs continue to grow and retail channel inventory in many geographies is still well below historical levels. IDC estimates the backlog of PC shipments heading into 2021 was large, and depending on how long this demand continues, there is a strong likelihood we will enter 2022 with an outsized backlog, albeit not as significant as current levels."

Supply concerns for the PC industry remain, specifically around ICs, but as the demand outlook continues to move upward, so does the pressure on suppliers to increase capacity, according to IDC. Assuming no further supply disruptions, PC supply and manufacturing capacity should be in balance by the middle of 2021.

"While component shortages will continue to affect the market, we anticipate the supply issues will start to alleviate just after mid-year," said Jitesh Ubrani research manager for IDC's Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "Consumer demand has also skyrocketed, and while this heightened demand will not last beyond 2021, PC shipments are expected to stay well above pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to shift spending from other categories toward tech and activities such as gaming help drive the market."

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