Chromebook market demand has dropped significantly
Benefiting from the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, the demand for distance education has increased sharply. In the past period, notebook computer shipments have increased significantly, and Chromebook sales have also increased significantly. However, with the normalization of the epidemic and the gradual saturation of the market, Chromebook sales have also plummeted from a high point, and the actual sales in 2022 are expected to be worse than originally expected.
According to DigiTimes reports, there is news from the relevant supply chain that some notebook computer manufacturers have recently lowered Chromebook shipments, cut orders, or delayed component orders for the platform. That’s not only affecting the manufacturers’ plans but also stalling the plans of vendors like Qualcomm and MediaTek that are relying on Chromebooks to break into the laptop space.
Image: Samsung
The first Chromebook with Google Chrome OS was released in 2011, with the first products from Samsung and Acer, due to user operating habits and compatibility issues, coupled with the average price/performance ratio, sales have been tepid. It took several years for Chromebooks to gradually open up to the education market, thanks to Google’s big push. With the unexpected outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020, the demand for distance education or office has increased sharply, and Chromebook shipments have skyrocketed, becoming the object of competition in the supply chain.
In fact, the industry has already lowered its Chromebook sales forecast for 2022, predicting a 30% decrease compared to 2021. However, the actual market conditions exceeded expectations. It is estimated that the decline in shipments will expand to 55%, and may even reach 60%, which has had a greater impact on the supply chain.
HP shipped 10 million units in 2021 and is estimated to have only about 3.6 million units this year. Lenovo ranks second in shipments in 2021, with about 8.2 million units, which is expected to be halved this year. Acer ranks third in 2021 with 6.5 million units shipped, which will be significantly reduced this year, leaving just over 1 million units. Dell was snatched up by Acer last year for the third position, with shipments of about 5 million units, and it is estimated that there are still about 4 million units this year, and it is likely to take first place for the first time. In addition, Samsung and Asus expect to ship around 2 million and 1.25 million units this year.
