Gaming Computers and 2-in-1 Devices on the Rise as Overall Computing Market Slides

While traditional personal computers and tablets are losing their luster worldwide, other types of computing devices are holding strong.

According to the latest worldwide PC shipment market report from tech analyst firm IDC, traditional notebooks and mobile workstations are seeing the biggest slide. That form factor is expected to drop by 9.1 percent annually between 2019 and 2023, shrinking from 18.4 percent of the market this year to 13.4 percent by 2023.

Gaming Computers and 2-in-1 Devices Surge as Overall Computing Market Slides

Slate tablets are also in a downward slide, losing 4.4 percent of market share each year over the next four years, followed by desktops and desktop workstations, which will decrease by 3.1 percent annually over that same period.

Growth is occurring in two categories: "ultraslim" notebooks (those under 21mm in thickness) and convertible notebooks and detachable tablets — 2-in-1s. The first category was projected to grow by 5.8 percent each year between now and 2023, claiming 26.4 percent of PC shipments, up from 19.7 percent; and the second category was expected to rise by 4.6 percent annually, to claim 12.9 percent of market share versus its current 10.1 percent.

IDC said it expected the introduction of new technologies to push prices up by nearly 3 percent in 2019. Those include "thinner bezels on notebook screens," which are driving those 2-in-1 sales, and "ongoing demand for gaming PCs."

On the business side, specifically, the company reported that enterprise organizations are already moving to replace their existing fleets of PCs before January 2020, when Microsoft ends official support for Windows 7.

Many of these enterprises, "are also looking to modernize their workforce by deploying ultraslim notebooks and 2-in-1 form factors," said Research Manager Jitesh Ubrani in a statement. "Not only are these devices expected to mobilize the workforce, but providing more brand and form factor options has proven successful at bringing younger talent into the work force."

On the consumer side, "smartphones continue to be top of mind for consumers when it comes to new device purchases, and arguably the rapid adoption of large screen smartphones has resulted in consumers doing less on their PC or tablet and more on their phone," added Program Vice President Ryan Reith. Where IDC was seeing growth among consumers was on gaming PCs, "including lower-priced options," and "thin and light notebooks at more attractive price points."

While IDC anticipated shipments to total 392.5 million this year, by 2023, that was expected to fall to 367.7 million, an overall reduction of 1.6 percent.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • row of students using computers in a library

    A Return to Openness: Apereo Examines Sustainability in Open Source

    Surprisingly, on many of our campuses, even the IT leadership responsible for the lion's share of technology deployments doesn't realize the extent to which the institution is dependent on open source. And that lack of awareness can be a threat to campuses.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    OpenAI Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • cloud icon with a padlock overlay set against a digital background featuring binary code and network nodes

    New Cloud Security Auditing Tool Utilizes AI to Validate Providers' Security Assessments

    The Cloud Security Alliance has announced a new artificial intelligence-powered system that automates the validation of cloud service providers' (CSPs) security assessments, aiming to improve transparency and trust across the cloud computing landscape.

  • geometric grid of colorful faculty silhouettes using laptops

    Top 3 Faculty Uses of Gen AI

    A new report from Anthropic provides insights into how higher education faculty are using generative AI, both in and out of the classroom.