China’s PC Shipments Fell 13% In Q3 2022: Report

A latest report suggests that China’s PC (desktop, notebook and workstation) shipments fell by 13 per cent in Q3 2022, while tablets were down 3 per cent year-on-year (YoY). 

Desktop (including desktop workstation) and notebook (including mobile workstation) shipments declined 31 per cent and 3 per cent respectively, as commercial demand was restricted by a slowdown in economic activity and weakened business confidence. 

PC demand faltered as overall shipments fell 13 per cent YoY, with the commercial segment down 17 per cent. Consumer demand for PCs also remained weak, with shipments falling by 10 per cent. “The PC market is unlikely to see growth in Q4 2022 or early 2023, given China’s current fragile macroeconomic situation,” said Canalys Analyst Emma Xu.

Lenovo topped the PC market in China, but its shipments dropped by 17 per cent. Second-placed Dell experienced the worst year-on-year decrease among the top vendors, at 21 per cent, due to its dependence on the commercial segment at a time when local businesses are still restructuring. HP took third place as it followed suit with a 17 per cent decline in shipments. 

Meanwhile, Asus and Huawei came fourth and fifth, growing both annually and sequentially, benefiting from strong promotions and marketing to consumers.   

The consumer segment was also lackluster ahead of the traditional peak season, and the channel’s outlook for “Double 11” sales in Q4 is pessimistic, with inventory levels elevated, the report noted.

The consumer tablet market was the only bright spot in Q3, with 18 per cent year-on-year growth, saving the overall consumer segment from the massive decline seen in the commercial space. 

Apple held onto first place in the tablet space but its growth slowed to 7 per cent, even as its iPad supply situation improved compared with Q2. Huawei and Lenovo came second and third, but faced a comparatively difficult quarter, both posting double-digit declines as they were hampered by component constraints and a drop in commercial demand for tablets, according to the Canalys report.

Fourth-placed HONOR posted 41 per cent growth in Q3, boosted by its Pad 8 series launch. Xiaomi rounded out the top five tablet vendors, posting 15 per cent growth despite making relatively minor upgrades to its newly announced device.