Australian PC sales increased by almost 12 per cent in 2020.

According to IDC's Quarterly Personal Computing Devices Tracker, around 4.9 million  laptops, desktops, and workstations were purchased in Australia in 2020.

The consumer segment saw a 29 per cent increase year over year, while the commercial segment dropped 2 per cent for the year.

This is understandable given the lack of hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that many workers began working from home.

Gamers also drove the rise, with the launch of Nvidia’s new RTX 3000 graphics card series leading many enthusiasts to upgrade.

The growth is expected to have been bigger, but was hampered by a global shortage in components.

The growth is expected to slow in 2021, with IDC predicting a 4.4 per cent decline in PC sales for the year. 

“The consumer market will continue to remain strong. However, the commercial market is expected to start to slow, as organisations remain cautious about buying. A stronger second half of the year is expected once there is more certainty and stability in the economy,” Reynard Lowell, IDC Australia’s associate market analyst for PC devices, said.