Global PC shipments fall despite surging demand

Global shipments of personal computers (PCs) fell in the first quarter (Q1) despite soaring demand driven by remote working and learning requirements from strict lockdown measures around the world, according to the latest report by technology market research firm Canalys.

Worldwide PC shipments fell 8 percent year on year during the January-March period due to severe delays in production and logistical issues incurred by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) even though demand surged, the report noted.

In Q1, vendors shipped 53.7 million desktops, notebooks and workstations, reports Xinhua.

The top vendor rankings remained stable, with Lenovo still leading the PC market with 12.8 million units shipped. HP came second with 11.7 million units, followed by Dell with 10.5 million units.

Of the top five, Apple was hit hardest as its shipments fell by over 20 percent to 3.2 million units, according to the report.

Although many parts of the tech industry have benefited from the early part of the lockdown period, the research firm expected a significant downturn in demand in Q2 2020.

"With factories now reopened and virtually up to full speed in China, PC vendors will face a challenge to manage supply chain and production correctly over the next three to six months," the report noted.