The struggling PC market led to a 18.3% year-over-year decrease in PC monitor shipments in Q4 2022, resulting in a 5.9% decline for the full year 2022, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker. With just over 30.5 million units, Q4 2022 marked the lowest Q4 volume since IDC started tracking the market in 2008. The decline was anticipated due to the challenging macro environment affecting both consumer and commercial demand, with results close to the predicted 16.2% drop in Q4 shipments.
Consumer monitor demand, which initially surged due to work-from-home and gaming needs during the pandemic, began to slow. Economic sentiments deteriorating in late 2022 also impacted commercial monitor purchases. Consequently, IDC predicts a 9.8% contraction in 2023 shipments due to lingering inventory and weak demand. A slight recovery is expected in 2024, with shipment volumes surpassing pre-pandemic levels as inventory improves. Further stabilization is anticipated beyond 2024, driven by the larger installed base created by hybrid work and gaming monitor growth.
Jay Chou, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Client Device Trackers, noted that monitors will not be a priority for many buyers in the short term. Annual volume averaged around 125 million before COVID-19, then increased to over 135 million for the past three years. As consumers and businesses recalibrate their priorities, it will take time for the market to stabilize. However, IDC remains confident that many users within the expanded installed base will be encouraged to upgrade in the coming years.
