PC Shipments Fall Below 63 Million Units For First Time Since 2007

PC shipments during the first quarter of 2017 totaled 62.2 million units, which marks a 2.4 percent decline from the prior quarter and the first time since 2007 that shipments tracked below the 63 million unit mark in a quarter.

Gartner noted the PC industry benefited from a growth in demand from business users, but this was more than offset by weaker consumer demand. In fact, many consumers chose to not only replace older PCs but have abandoned the PC market altogether.

Naturally, the vast majority of business users require a computer for their jobs and the PC remains "the main work device for businesses."

Apple Vs. HP

Gartner said the top three PC vendors -- Lenovo, HP Inc HPQ and Dell -- are all battling to win over the enterprise market while the fifth-largest PC vendor, Apple Inc. AAPL, still boasts a "solid customer base in specific verticals."

During the first quarter, HP shipped 12.118 million PC units, up from 11.383 million units a year ago and only Lenovo shipped more units in the quarter (12.377 million).

HP managed to grow its market share from 17.9 percent a year ago to 19.5 percent in the first quarter.

Similarly, Apple grew its market share in the PC market from 6.3 percent a year ago to 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2017. Shipments also rose from 4.034 million units a year ago to 4.217 million unit sin the recent quarter.

Apple's total shipments for the first quarter implies it was the fifth-largest vendor and fell short of Lenovo, HP, Dell (9.351 million units) and Asus (4.547 million units).

See Also:

It Turns Out Macs Are Actually Cheaper Than PCs For Businesses

Tim Cook: But Seriously, Why Would Anyone Buy A PC Anymore?