Global notebook computer shipments rebounded, and 2023Q2 is expected to grow by 15.7%

According to the latest research report published by TrendForce, global laptop shipments in the second quarter of 2023 are estimated to have reached approximately 40.45 million units, exhibiting a 15.7% quarter-on-quarter growth, marking the first resurgence in six months, albeit with an 11.6% year-on-year decline. TrendForce’s prognosis for the third quarter remains sanguine, forecasting a continued surge in laptop shipments to approximately 43.08 million units, an escalation of 6.5% quarter-on-quarter.

TrendForce articulates that in the first quarter of the year, the paramount objective for laptop brands was to aggressively deplete inventory, causing inertia in upstream procurement, which in turn influenced terminal shipping performance. As brands began to gradually consolidate their complete machines and component inventory towards controllable levels in the second quarter, demands began to resurface following the alleviation of pressure at the channel terminus. Thanks to traditional seasonal momentum, various promotional activities are expected to further stimulate stockpiling demands, contributing to the growth of global laptop shipments.

Before the recovery of global market demand, certain laptop models began replenishing orders in regions such as North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia in March of this year. However, these models are predominantly concentrated on mid-to-low-end products, with retail prices in the range of 400 to 600 USD.

Worthy of note is that after an adjustment period spanning seven quarters, order volumes for Chromebook began to unfurl. However, as Google commenced charging Chromebook licensing fees from July 1, 2023, the competitiveness of low-end Chromebook models is expected to be affected. To sidestep the cost increases due to licensing fees, overall shipment volumes of Chromebooks have consequently been elevated for the second quarter of the year.

TrendForce anticipates that global laptop shipments have bottomed out in the first quarter of this year. However, due to the sluggish economic environment, the growth for the third quarter is projected to be somewhat gradual, estimating the entirety of 2023 to remain in a consolidation phase, with total shipment volumes anticipated to be around 163 million units, a year-on-year decline of 12.2%.