A new IDC report has claimed that the PC monitor market has seen a significant decline for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
In total, about 34,8 million monitors were sold and shipped in the third quarter of 2021, down 7,2% from the same period in 2020, the analyst firm said.
The main reason for the decline was a "slowdown" in consumer demand, according to the report, but supply and logistics issues were also cited. However, not all manufacturers have suffered the same fate. Dell and Lenovo, for example, still had a successful quarter. Dell grew 20,6% year-over-year, while Lenovo gained 6,9% over the same period. However, they were all in the negative.
Counter the trend
It's also not unique, IDC adds, saying the trend has reversed and it expects the decline to continue in Q2021 4.6. Even if it did, the full year should show a 2020. % growth, compared to XNUMX.
"We expect the market to peak in volume in late 2021 with the highest shipping levels since 2012," said Jay Chou, IDC research director for the Worldwide Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker.
While Chou added that he expects the business segment to drive the market, he says the mainstream segment should not be underestimated, although sales of the latter devices have also fallen 12%.
"We believe the changes brought about by hybrid work permanence and flexible learning will enable faster refresh rates across all user segments," Chou said.
Telecommuting caused by the pandemic has triggered a shopping spree among consumers looking to purchase the equipment they need to stay operational. That frenzy seems to be winding down now, at least when it comes to activity trackers.
Hybrid working has proven to be a sustainable model over the last few years, and with it, the demand for new technology is likely to remain somewhat higher. Whether or not update cycles are speeding up remains to be seen.