Apple has been enjoying healthy growth in computer sales of late.
According to a report by the global intelligence firm IDC, there was a 20.8% growth in shipments of Macs in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. In real terms, that equates to 5.7 million machines across the world (up by a million) and an increased market share from 7.5% to 8.8%. But while good news, all is not quite what it seems.
To some extent, Mac sales have mirrored the general state of the PC industry of late and the overarching story has been one of general decline until this year when first quarter Apple shipments were up 14.6%, meaning it has now had two consecutive growth periods.
In the first quarter of 2023, for example, IDC reported a 40.5% slump in Apple computer shipments (greater than the 29% drop felt by the wider PC industry). Apple then temporarily bucked the trend by growing 10.3% in the second quarter of 2023 against a 13.4% wider PC market fall before subsequently falling by 23.1% and 18.4% in the following periods against wider PC market declines of 7.6% and 2.7%.
In simple terms, this means 2022 was a decent-ish year (albeit down on 2021 due to supply issues), 2023 was a doozy and 2024 looks set to be cause for celebration. But there are many explanations for what has unfolded in recent times. The downturn of yesteryear has, to a great extent, been due to widespread weak demand, excess inventory and a worsening macroeconomic climate that has slowly been easing. Data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) also suggests that Apple users have been hanging on to their devices for longer.
Silicon success
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av MacFormat UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av MacFormat UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Death Stranding Director's Cut
An outstanding horror tale
Hidden Kingdoms
Panic relief for the nervous traveller
QDOS SnapStand 3-in-1
Charge three devices in one plug socket
Record sounds on Mac
Record different sound sources with QuickTime Player and Audio Hijack
One more thing Apple Watch
Graham Barlow has stopped wearing his Apple Watch, but will sleep apnoea detection make him change his mind?
Halide Mark II (2.15)
The ideal app for photographers looking for more manual control
reMarkable 2, Marker Plus & Type Folio
A tablet that gives a note-paper experience
Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro
Get your iPhone to follow your every move!
AirPods 4 with ANC
A new design and Active Noise Cancellation make these a must-have
iPhone 16 Pro
Bigger and better in almost every way - and with power to spare