In this article, we take a closer look at the 15 largest PC companies in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis and head straight to our list of 5 largest PC companies in the world.
The International Data Corporation (IDC) has released preliminary results indicating that during the first quarter of 2023 (1Q23), traditional PC shipments dropped by 29.0% compared to the same period in 2022. Canalys reports an even steeper drop of 33%, indicating a worrying trend for the industry.
The drop was due to low demand, excess inventory, and an unstable global economy. In the first quarter of 2023, global shipments amounted to 56.9 million, which indicates a decline as during the first quarter of 2022, the global shipments were 80.2 million.
IDC highlights that due to the current slowdown in growth and demand, factories are now considering producing PCs outside of China. The pause in demand has also given PC makers time to reorganize their plans for 2023, as they are currently placing orders for Chromebooks before licensing costs increase later. Although there may be a temporary decrease in PC shipments, the industry is expected to recover towards the end of 2023.
Key players
The largest PC companies worldwide were also not immune to this contraction. During Q1 2023, the top five PC giants with the most significant market share experienced double-digit shipment declines. Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) performed the worst with a 40.5% difference compared to Q1 2022.
Lenovo maintained its position as the global leader in total shipments with 12.7 million units and a market share of 22.4% despite facing a hard time in the US market. Although the company experienced the sharpest decline in annual shipments in its corporate history over two quarters, it saw modest growth in Japan due to end-of-fiscal-year PC purchases in 2022.
HP Inc (NASDAQ:HPQ) ranked second in the global PC market with 12 million shipments and a 21.1% market share. However, the company experienced its seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit shipment decline. While HP shipments in the EMEA region dropped by 37% compared to the same period last year, the decline in the US market was less severe.
Dell Technologies Inc (NYSE:Dell) held the third position with 9.5 million shipments, representing 16.7% of the market share. The company recorded its fourth consecutive quarter of decline, and its Asia Pacific market was severely affected, with an over 40% decline. The weak PC market was the primary factor contributing to Dell's decline.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) held the fourth position in the market with 4.1 million shipments, representing a 7.2% market share. Asus followed in fifth place with 3.9 million shipments, accounting for 6.8% of the market.
Quantum Computing in Development
Tech giants are currently investing in the development of quantum computing technology. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has set a goal of building a quantum computer by 2029, while International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) plans to have a 1,000-qubit quantum computer in place by 2023. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is offering access to quantum technology through its Azure Quantum platform, and there is also interest from financial-services companies such as JPMorgan Chase and Visa.
According to Medium, Quantum computers, such as Google's Sycamore, are significantly faster than classical computers or supercomputers. For example, Sycamore could calculate a narrow-range problem in 200 seconds that would take IBM's Summit supercomputer 10,000 years to solve.
Quantum computing can disrupt the traditional computing industry by providing much faster and more powerful computing capabilities. However, quantum computing is limited to a very narrow range of applications. For these kinds of applications, the demand could shift from traditional PCs to quantum computing services offered by companies such as Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL), International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM), and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT).
The Emerging Edge Computing
Gartner predicts that 80% of enterprises will shut down their traditional data centers by 2025 due to the latency issues of traditional cloud computing, which relies on servers in one central location. As a result, many companies are shifting towards edge-computing service providers that bring computation, data storage, and analytics closer to the end-user location, resulting in improved response times. Content Delivery Networks like Cloudflare are making edge computing accessible and are expected to power the web in the future.
For the largest PC companies, this could involve developing more powerful and efficient processors and integrating edge computing capabilities into their products. Additionally, PC companies may need to collaborate with edge computing service providers like Cloudflare to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. Finally, as more businesses adopt edge computing, there may be increased demand for PC products with enhanced security features to protect sensitive data being processed at the edge.
Zero Trust: The Future of Data Protection
The Zero Trust model, a modern security architecture, provides security against ransomware and cybersecurity threats by assigning the least required access needed to perform specific tasks.
Large companies like Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) invest heavily in developing Zero Trust solutions, quickly becoming the best practice in any industry. It explains why International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) reports that the data breaches cost companies $4.35 million on average, globally.
Adopting zero-trust security models has multiple implications for the largest PC companies in the world. It will require them to invest in sophisticated security tools, ensure compatibility with the framework, and offer devices with built-in security features such as biometric authentication, encryption, and secure boot processes.
The methodology used to rank the largest PC companies in the world is based on the annual revenue generated by the companies in 2022. The data is sourced from reputable sources such as Macro Trends, Forbes, Companies Market Cap, and the companies' official websites. This approach will ensure the rankings are based on reliable and accurate information. The list is in ascending order.
Corsair Gaming, Inc (NASDAQ:CRSR) is an American company that produces various computer hardware and peripherals. Its product line includes gaming keyboards, mice, headsets, PC cases, cooling systems, and power supplies.
Corsair Gaming, Inc (NASDAQ:CRSR) is well-known for its high-quality gaming products and has a loyal following among gamers and PC enthusiasts. The company has a strong presence in the gaming industry and sponsors various gaming events and esports teams.
14. Acer Inc
Annual Revenue: $9.09 billion
Acer is a Taiwanese multinational hardware and electronics corporation that manufactures and sells various computer hardware, software, and related products. The company has a strong presence in the gaming market with its Predator line of gaming laptops, desktops, and monitors. In 2021, the company made a revenue of $11.42 billion, an increase over the 2020 revenue of $9.57 Billion.
Micro-Star International Co (NYSE:MSI) is a Taiwanese multinational technology corporation that designs, develops, and provides computer hardware, peripherals, and related services. MSI's product line includes laptops, desktops, motherboards, graphics cards, all-in-one PCs, servers, and gaming peripherals.
The company is known for producing high-quality gaming laptops like the GE76 Raider, often with impressive specifications and features such as high-end graphics cards, fast processors, and high refresh rate displays. In 2022, its annual revenue increased by 11.52% from 2021.
12. ASUS
Annual Revenue: $19.2 billion
ASUS is a Taiwanese multinational company that produces a range of computer hardware and electronics. In addition to the hardware, ASUS also produces a range of software products, including its proprietary AI-powered ZenUI operating system for mobile devices. The company is also known for its ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) line of gaming computers designed specifically for gamers and e-sports enthusiasts.
11. NEC Corporation
Annual Revenue: $27.7 billion
NEC Corporation is a Japanese multinational information technology and electronics company specializing in manufacturing and distributing various products, including computers, laptops, servers, telecommunications equipment, and electronic parts. NEC Versa P9210-2500DR is one of the best-performing NEC laptops.
10. Fujitsu Limited
Annual Revenue: $31.92 billion
Fujitsu is a Japanese multinational technology company that offers a wide range of ICT products and services. Its products include computers, servers, storage devices, and related accessories, and the company is known for its advanced computing technology and supercomputers.
With around 124,000 employees worldwide, the company is one of the most extensive IT services providers worldwide and the biggest in Japan. In 2022, its annual revenue declined by 5.39% from 2021.
9. HP Inc. (NASDAQ: HPQ)
Annual Revenue: $63 billion
HP Inc (NASDAQ: HPQ) is an American multinational technology company known for producing various hardware and software products, including personal computers, printers, servers, and storage devices. HP is a significant global tech industry player known for producing reliable, high-quality products. It offers various laptop lines designed for specific segments, such as the EliteBook and ProBook for professionals, the Omen series for gamers, and Chromebooks for students and working professionals.
Panasonic Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:PCRFY) has a product line that includes laptops and tablets for personal and business use. These devices are known for their durability and long battery life, and they come with features such as touchscreens, detachable keyboards, and rugged designs that can withstand harsh environments. For instance, Panasonic Toughbook offers various heavy-duty, military-grade notebooks in fully rugged and semi-rugged variants.
7. LG Corporation
Annual Revenue: $68.3 billion
LG is a South Korean multinational conglomerate that produces various electronics, home appliances, and chemicals. The company is one of the world's largest consumer electronics manufacturers, and its product line includes televisions, smartphones, laptops, and home appliances. LG's Gram series is a famous line of laptops known for their lightweight design and long battery life.
6. Lenovo Group
Annual Revenue: $71.62 billion
Lenovo is a Chinese tech company that produces and sells a variety of electronics, including PCs, smartphones, tablets, servers, and storage devices. It's known for high-quality products and innovation and has the most significant share of PC companies' global market. Thus, this had to be a no-brainer in our list of the largest PC companies worldwide.
Lenovo has recently launched a new high-end series in its consumer lineup, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i, featuring powerful components like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 and miniLED screens. Lenovo Group's annual revenue for 2021 was $60.742 billion, representing a 19.77% increase from the previous year. In 2022, the company saw an increase of 17.9% in revenue compared to the previous year.