Industry analytics firm Canalys reports a challenging start to 2023, with roughly 54 million personal computers sold in Q1, marking a 32.6% drop from the same period the year before. The news underscored a continuing double‑digit decline across the PC market for a fourth straight quarter, with laptops hit hardest as demand waned. Laptop shipments slipped 34% to 41.8 million units, while desktops declined 28% to 12.1 million units. Canalys also highlighted a growing frustration among channel partners, noting that 39% reported delivery delays of more than five weeks and 18% faced delays beyond nine weeks. (Canalys)
Among the five leading vendors, Apple endured the steepest fall, with PC sales down 45.5% to around four million units. Dell followed with a 31% drop, shipping about 9.5 million devices. Asus shipments declined 29.3% to 3.9 million, and HP saw a 24% reduction to 12 million. Lenovo stood out as the top performer of the quarter, maintaining market leadership with more than 12.7 million devices shipped, a 30% decrease year over year. (Canalys)
Industry analysts have suggested that any sustained recovery in demand and a rebound in PC shipments are unlikely to take hold until the second half of 2023 or possibly early 2024, as supply chains normalize and consumers adjust spend—especially in North America where enterprise replacements and education market cycles influence the pace of growth. (Canalys)
Concerns about component shortages and manufacturing costs have continued to shape the market narrative, with brands reassessing production strategies and channel partners seeking more predictable delivery timelines to support customer expectations in the United States and Canada. (Canalys)
As corporate and educational buyers recalibrate budgets, businesses in North America are increasingly prioritizing value, total cost of ownership, and long‑term device resilience. Analysts emphasize that a return to typical growth patterns will depend on stabilizing supply, product mix optimization, and effective demand forecasting that aligns with end‑user needs and public sector procurement cycles. (Canalys)
Historically, the PC market has shown resilience during mixed macro conditions when manufacturers deliver differentiated features, reliable performance, and strong after‑sales support. In recent quarters, the strongest performers have balanced price competitiveness with compelling software ecosystems and enterprise security capabilities to win back share from rivals. (Canalys)
For buyers in Canada and the United States, the short‑term takeaway is clear: bargain pricing alone may not drive sustained volumes. Instead, buyers should evaluate total value, including durability, service commitments, and compatibility with existing IT environments. As supply chains stabilize and new model launches occur, cautious optimism remains that the market could regain momentum as early as late 2023 or early 2024. (Canalys)
In summary, the first quarter of 2023 framed a year of adjustment for the PC sector, with meaningful declines across laptop and desktop categories and uneven recoveries among the major brands. The path forward hinges on improved supply reliability, strategic product choices, and the broader economic context across North America. (Canalys)