The EMEA market for ‘traditional’ PC systems (desktops, notebooks, and workstations) grew 12.7% YoY in Q3 of 2021, totalling 24.4 million units, according to IDC. Strong commercial performance was the main driver and offset a slowdown in consumer sales.
► Desktop sales growth outstrips notebooks as offices reopen and hybrid takes hold
► Consumer sales flat as leisure spending shifts
The Western European PC market overall enjoyed solid growth of 15.8% with desktops increasing 21.8% while notebooks were up 13.1%. That was almost certainly down to employers refreshing office estates. Notebooks were held back more by continued component shortages, primarily in IC boards and panels.
The Western European commercial market was up 30.6% YoY, driven by a 41.6% rise in desktops. Notebooks grew by 25.8%. The reopening of offices has led to devices being refreshed and the acquisition of devices to be used in hybrid working schemes.
The consumer market was basically flat in Western Europe with only 6.6 million units shipping. As expected, the end of lockdowns led to consumers spending more on leisure and less on PCs, which temporarily slowed the transition from one device per household to one device per person, said the analyst.
