According to IDC (International Data Corporation), the PC market has experienced growth for the second quarter in a row after a two-year decline, with Apple leading the way with a 20% increase in sales compared to last year.
These numbers focus on “traditional PCs,” excluding tablets, and for Apple, the MacBook is the key revenue driver in this category. This sales boost is positive news following a 30% decrease in sales in 2023 compared to 2022, attributed in part to the pandemic’s end and decreased interest in the M2 chip after the widespread adoption of Apple silicon with the M1 chip.
The transition from M2 to M3 seems to be smoother now. Apple’s 20% sales increase surpasses Lenovo’s 3.7%, HP’s 1.8%, and Acer’s 13.7%. IDC suggests that overall market health has been boosted by AI excitement and a new commercial refresh cycle, influencing Apple’s sales growth, even before Apple’s AI products are released.
All Apple Silicon MacBooks will support Apple Intelligence, enticing users to upgrade to Apple silicon following the WWDC keynote on June 10. Potential buyers influenced by AI buzz may have opted for a MacBook after considering other options, especially with Copilot+ PCs hitting the market later in Q2.
There could be existing M1 owners looking to upgrade, although MacBooks can last longer than three and a half years. Recent trends show extended usage of older models. With MacBook sales rising and Copilot+ PC sales performing well, Q3 results in September will be worth watching.
