Not the best way to greet a new operating system, but what can you do, eh? Microsoft launched its new OS earlier in the month, with Windows 11 now beaming from servers to compatible computers.
Speaking of computers, Redmond stresses that the best way to experience the finest the Windows platform has to offer is to buy a new PC that has been carefully crafted with the OS in mind and makes use of all its bells and whistles.
In other words, new hardware is the flavor of the month.
But things are not so rosy in the PC hardware domain, and have not been for some time.
According to this report by IDC, component shortage has hit the PC market and it is now struggling with component shortage. Tight supply remains a big problem for most of the vendors out there, as companies are forced to rethink their ambitions.
Neha Mahajan, senior research analyst, Devices and Displays at IDC:
“Bottlenecked supply chains and ongoing logistic challenges led the U.S. PC market into its first quarter of annual shipment decline since the beginning of the pandemic.
After a year of accelerated buying driven by the shift to remote work and learning, there’s also been a comparative slowdown in PC spending and that has caused some softening of the U.S. PC market today. Yet, supply clearly remains behind demand in key segments with inventory still below normal levels.”
Not all doom and gloom in the PC space, however.
At least, not yet.
The market research firm says that the traditional PC market reached 86.7 million units in the third quarter of the year. And while this represents an increase of 3.9% from the same quarter a year ago, the road ahead is bumpy.
As for the big players in the industry, Lenovo remains the number one PC maker after moving 19.7 million units, which meant it secured a market share somewhere around 22.8%. This translated to an increase of 3.1% from the same quarter a year back.
HP had to make do with the runner-up position, once again, with 17.5 million, down 5.8%, while Dell ended up with a podium finish at third with 15.1 million devices representing a wholesome uptick of 26.6%.
Apple found itself in the top five, thanks to strong Mac sales of 7.6 million units and a 9.9% surge.
