Global PC, tablet shipments to drop 7% in 2020

Global PC and tablet shipments will see a 7 percent decrease to 367.8 million units this year from 395.6 million units in 2019 due to the global economic recession caused by COVID-19 outbreak, according to market research company Canalys in a Tuesday report.

The company expects the global PC market will stay flat in 2021 and return to 2 percent growth in 2022.

PC markets are expected to have smaller year-on-year shipment declines in the second, third and last quarter this year compared to Q1, which was hit hard from the impact of the disease.

The improved situation is mainly due to a return to a healthy supply chain and manufacturing base in China, which will meet demand in areas like remote working and education, the report said.

However, consumers, businesses and governments will plan carefully before refreshing their PCs as the world economy is reeling from COVID-19 pandemic.

In China, PC and tablet shipments are expected to fall 3 percent in 2020 and will post growth of 4 percent in 2021. The pent-up demand from Q1 this year will lead to a major boost in sales in Q2 of 2020, according to Canalys.