Laptop business demand remained strong in Q4 2021 due to growth in Windows 11 and DaaS (device-as-a-service), while SMBs and consumers grabbed huge holiday discounts to finish 2021 on a strong note. Faced with supply constraints, the industry has prioritized the production of laptops to meet mixed work demands.
According to a recent research report released by Strategy Analytics, after reaching a high point in 2020, global notebook PC shipments will grow by 19% year-on-year in 2021, reaching a record 268 million again. As 2022 begins, the industry must remain cautious about ongoing supply issues and rising freight and manufacturing costs.
Chirag Upadhyay, the Industry Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said: “Q4 2021 capped another strong year in the notebook market with another strong quarter. Growth in developed markets was supported by continued demand for hybrid work environments, which was also supported by Windows 11 and DaaS’s attractive prices.
Emerging markets are driven by continued demand from SMEs, while consumers continue to shift towards mobility. In addition, orders delayed from Q3 2021 onwards were also received in Q4 due to component shortages and supply issues resolved.
Eric Smith, Director of Strategy Analytics’ Connected Computing Service, added: “With Chromebook demand slowing in the second half of 2021, Windows demand began to grow in Q4 2021. Windows 11 Enterprise upgrades provide strong momentum for Windows laptops Microsoft’s recent launch of Windows 11 SE for K-8 education is also attracting top PC makers as it aims to counter Chrome’s surge in market share during the pandemic.
Windows remains a consumer staple as demand for gaming laptops continues to grow during the holiday season Popular choice.
- In Q4 2021, Lenovo’s notebook computer shipments (wholesale) were 16.2 million units, down 9% year-on-year and up 6% month-on-month
- In Q4 2021, HP maintained the second position, with notebook computer shipments reaching 14.5 million units, down 4% year-on-year
- Dell laptop shipments hit a record 13.2 million units, up 14% year over year and 8% sequentially
Apple’s macOS continued its previous momentum, making company history in Q4 2021, with more than 6.6 million shipments in the holiday quarter, an increase of 11% year-over-year
Acer returned to the top five with 5.2 million notebook shipments, up 6% sequentially compared to the previous quarter, which was negatively impacted by supply issues.