Worldwide PC Shipments Soar in 2021 - Canalys

PC Shipments Surged in 2021 Despite Supply Chain Challenges

Contrary to expectations, global PC sales experienced significant growth last year, even with the widespread chip shortages. Data from Canalys indicates a 15% year-over-year increase in PC shipments for 2021. This represents a substantial rise of 27% compared to 2019 figures, totaling 341 million units sold.

Strong Performance Throughout the Year

While the final quarter of the year saw a more modest 1% increase in shipments compared to the previous year, 2021 still marked the most successful year for the PC market since 2012, according to Canalys’ findings.

Ishan Dutt, a senior analyst at Canalys, highlighted that PCs demonstrated remarkable resilience despite the ongoing supply constraints. He observed that PCs have become integral to both professional and personal lives, with multiple devices becoming commonplace in households within developed regions.

Increased PC Penetration and Usage

“The market’s ability to achieve double-digit growth following the impressive performance of 2020, despite persistent supply limitations, underscores the robust demand for PCs over the past year,” Dutt stated. “Long-term trends in 2021 reveal substantial gains in PC penetration and usage rates.”

Leading Manufacturers and Growth Rates

The top three PC manufacturers – Lenovo, HP, and Dell – benefited most from the increased demand in 2021, with Apple securing the fourth position. Notably, Apple exhibited the highest year-over-year growth at 28.3%, followed by Acer with 21.8% growth, despite ranking fifth in overall shipment volume.

In terms of market share, Lenovo and HP dominated with 24.1% and 21.7% respectively. Dell held the third position with 17.4%, while Apple captured 8.5% of the market.

Outlook for 2022

Despite expectations of continued chip shortages and potential saturation within the education sector, Canalys anticipates a strong performance for PC sales in 2022. Analyst Rushabh Doshi suggested that 2021’s figures could have been even higher without the supply chain disruptions.

“The current shortage is primarily driven by demand exceeding supply. It is certain that a more favorable supply situation would have enabled faster growth and a larger overall PC industry,” Doshi explained.

Sustained Growth Expected

Doshi foresees continued expansion in the PC market. “Considering an unrestricted scenario, the demand for more powerful and efficient PCs is now more pronounced than ever, encompassing both work and home environments. Given the reinforced importance of PCs over the last two years, we believe this growth trajectory will persist.”