The Indian PC market is poised for a significant rebound in 2024, according to the latest analysis from Canalys. Despite a challenging year in 2023, characterised by fluctuations and an overall decline, the market is expected to see good growth across all segments – desktops, notebooks and tablets.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the PC market in India experienced a 4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth, driven primarily by a 27 per cent increase in desktop shipments. This growth in desktop sales, totaling 8,84,000 units, was fueled by factors such as easing import restrictions and the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, which encouraged local manufacturing efforts by OEMs.
While desktops led the growth, notebooks also saw modest gains, with a 3 per cent increase to 2.3 million units shipped. However, tablet shipments experienced a decline of per cent, with 1.1 million units shipped during the same period.
Looking ahead, Canalys predicted a promising outlook for 2024, with tablets anticipated to be the main driver of growth, expected to see an impressive 24 per cent YoY increase. Factors contributing to this anticipated growth include positive signs in consumer sentiment and the expected acceleration of public sector tenders after the general elections in Q2 2024.
The forecast for 2024 suggested double-digit percentage growth in both the commercial and consumer segments, with a 14 per cent YoY increase expected in the PC market. Further growth of 15 per cent is anticipated in 2025, driven by solid commercial procurement.
AI-capable PCs are expected to play a significant role in the commercial segment, particularly with the end of support for Windows 10 approaching. Despite their relatively higher prices, these devices are expected to gain traction, especially among large enterprises.
“Both AI and locally manufactured PCs will take centre stage in 2024,” said Canalys Analyst Ashweej Aithal. “AI-capable PCs are expected to experience a substantial boost in the coming commercial refresh cycle as the end of Windows 10 approaches. With these devices commanding relatively high prices in the short term, commercial uptake, especially by large enterprises, is expected to be stronger initially.”
