Double-Digit Growth in 'Laptop PCs' Amid Semiconductor Supply Shortage Concerns

*The market share figures in the table are rounded to the nearest decimal place.

[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] Amid concerns over semiconductor supply disruptions, the global notebook PC market recorded double-digit growth compared to the previous year in the second quarter.

According to market research firm Strategy Analytics (SA) on the 4th (local time), global notebook shipments in the second quarter reached 65.6 million units, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This was due to increased demand for notebooks as remote work and online classes expanded following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this was a decrease from 68.2 million units in the first quarter.

SA stated, "The main drivers were the return to work and mobility demand shifting from desktops to notebook PCs," but also predicted, "Supply constraints are expected to intensify in the second half of the year."

By manufacturer, Lenovo shipped 15.5 million units in the second quarter, securing first place with a market share of 23.6%. Shipments increased by 14% compared to a year ago, while market share fell by 0.1 percentage points.

HP ranked second with a 22.8% market share. It shipped 14.9 million units, an 11% growth compared to the same period last year. SA added that HP showed strength by fulfilling orders that had lagged in the previous quarter.

Third place was Dell (16.2%) with 10.7 million units shipped. Apple, leading with the MacBook, ranked fourth (8%) and surpassed 5.5 million units shipped after recording its best-ever performance last quarter. Acer also showed 45% growth compared to the previous year, entering the top five with a market share of 7.9%, up 1.6 percentage points.

All five manufacturers recorded double-digit growth. However, concerns have been raised that the semiconductor supply shortage may fully impact the market starting in the second half of the year. Earlier, Apple CEO Tim Cook said immediately after the second-quarter earnings announcement, "The semiconductor shortage mainly affected Mac and iPad supply," and predicted the impact would increase in the second half."