Worldwide PC Shipments Show Modest Growth in Q4 2024

Global PC shipments totaled 64.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a 1.4% year-over-year increase compared to Q4 2023, according to preliminary data from Gartner, Inc. This marks the fifth consecutive quarter of growth for the PC market. For the entire year, PC shipments reached 245.3 million units, a 1.3% rise from 2023, although shipments fell below 250 million units for the second year in a row.

Ranjit Atwal, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, noted that despite high expectations for AI PCs and the anticipated Windows 11 refresh cycle, the market saw only modest growth in Q4 2024. Factors such as high AI PC prices and economic uncertainties, particularly in regions like China and parts of Europe, played a role in suppressing demand. However, Atwal projects solid growth in 2025, driven by delayed Windows 11 refresh demand and the growing business value of AI PCs as their use cases mature.

Top PC Vendors in Q4 2024

There were no significant changes in the rankings of the top six PC vendors in Q4 2024, although individual vendor performances varied. Lenovo maintained growth, with a 4.2% year-over-year increase. HP Inc. and Dell Technologies both saw slight declines, while other vendors like Apple, ASUS, and Acer showed positive growth. Lenovo continued to lead the market with 26.3% share, followed by HP at 21.3%, and Dell at 15.5%.

Regional PC Market Performance

In the U.S., PC shipments grew by 3.5% year-over-year in Q4 2024, although there was a slight sequential decline of 1.7%. The U.S. market was supported by stable macroeconomic conditions and healthy demand from the public sector. HP led the U.S. market with 26.1% share, followed by Dell with 21.8%.

In the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) region, PC shipments declined by 1.6% year-over-year in Q4 2024, despite a 3.9% quarter-over-quarter growth. This decline came after two quarters of growth, with the market stabilizing but not fully recovering. In the Asia Pacific region, the PC market was particularly impacted by low demand in China, where shipments dropped by 12%. However, other parts of Asia, including Japan, saw better performance due to year-end budget consumption and holiday promotions.

Annual PC Market Overview

The global PC market saw modest recovery in 2024, with a 1.3% year-over-year increase. Total worldwide shipments reached 245.4 million units, up from 242.3 million in 2023. This marks a notable recovery from 2023, which was the weakest year for PC shipments in a decade. Despite a significant drop in market volume from 2021’s peak, vendors have managed to show resilience. Lenovo, HP, and Apple all saw positive growth, while Dell experienced a slight decline in annual shipments.

While the PC market showed only modest growth in 2024, it continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of economic challenges. The increasing adoption of AI PCs and Windows 11 refresh cycles, coupled with shifting regional demands, are expected to contribute to stronger growth in the coming years.

Gartner’s final PC shipment statistics will be released soon, offering a more comprehensive view of the global PC market for stakeholders in product planning, distribution, and sales.