Global PC shipments grew around 3% YoY in Q1 2024 after eight consecutive quarters of declines due to demand slowdown and inventory correction, according to the latest data from Counterpoint Research. The shipment growth in Q1 2024 came on a relatively low base in Q1 2023. The coming quarters of 2024 will see sequential shipment growth, resulting in 3% YoY growth for the full year, largely driven by AI PC momentum, shipment recovery across different sectors, and a fresh replacement cycle.

Lenovo's PC shipments were up 8% in Q1 2024 off an easy comparison from last year. The brand managed to reclaim its 24% share in the market, compared to 23% in Q1 2023. HP and Dell, with market shares of 21% and 16% respectively, remained flattish, waiting for North America to drive shipment growth in the coming quarters. Apple's shipment performance was also resilient, with the 2% growth mainly supported by M3 base models.

NVIDIA today announced a new wave of networking switches, the X800 series, designed for massive-scale AI. The world's first networking platforms capable of end-to-end 800 Gb/s throughput, NVIDIA Quantum-X800 InfiniBand and NVIDIA Spectrum -X800 Ethernet push the boundaries of networking performance for computing and AI workloads. They feature software that further accelerates AI, cloud, data processing and HPC applications in every type of data center, including those that incorporate the newly released NVIDIA Blackwell architecture-based product lineup.

"NVIDIA Networking is central to the scalability of our AI supercomputing infrastructure," said Gilad Shainer, senior vice president of Networking at NVIDIA. "NVIDIA X800 switches are end-to-end networking platforms that enable us to achieve trillion-parameter-scale generative AI essential for new AI infrastructures."

Back in December, details of HP's OMEN Transcend 32 leaked and one of the big reveals was that this upcoming OLED display was going to feature DisplayPort 2.1 support. Now details have emerged via TFTCentral that the Transcend 32 might not be all it was expected to be, as its DP 2.1 port is what can only be referred to as severely limited, since it only supports UHBR10 which equals 40 Gbps worth of bandwidth. Comparing this with the upcoming Gigabyte AORUS FO32U2P which supports UHBR20, you're looking at twice the bandwidth at 80 Gbps. To put this into real world terms, this means that the OMEN Transcend 32 will still require DIsplay Stream Compression enabled to hit its maximum refresh rate of 240 Hz at 4K resolution, as this requires close to 69 Gbps of bandwidth. That said, it's still capable of 144 Hz without DSC, which is a small consolation prize, but it's hardly going to win over potential customers.

The OMEN Transcend 32 does have a few extras though, such as support for VESA AdaptiveSync 240 and ClearMR in addition to AMD's FreeSync Premium Pro. Other niceties include a USB Type-C port with DP Alt mode as well as 140 W USB Power Delivery, a USB Type-C output and KVM functionality. It's also said to feature "OMEN Gear Switch technology" which makes the display act as a network switch and enables files to be dragged and dropped between devices connected to the monitor. HP has as yet to announce pricing and a launch date for the OMEN Transcend 32.

HP Inc. and its subsidiaries ("HP") announced fiscal 2024 first quarter net revenue of $13.2 billion, down 4.4% (down 4.9% in constant currency) from the prior-year period. First quarter GAAP diluted net EPS was $0.62, up from $0.47 in the prior-year period and within the previously provided outlook of $0.60 to $0.70. First quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS was $0.81, up from $0.73 in the prior-year period and within the previously provided outlook of $0.76 to $0.86. First quarter non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS excludes after-tax adjustments of $186 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related credits and tax adjustments.

"Our Q1 results reflect continued progress against our Future Ready plan," said Enrique Lores, HP President and CEO. "We are bringing terrific innovation to our customers while driving disciplined execution across every facet of the business. As a result, we delivered solid earnings growth this quarter and we are well positioned to accelerate as the market recovers."

TSM, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation ("SSS"), DENSO Corporation ("DENSO") and Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota") today announced further investment into Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. ("JASM"), TSMC's majority-owned manufacturing subsidiary in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, to build a second fab, which is scheduled to begin operation by the end of the 2027 calendar year. Toyota will also take a minority stake. Together with JASM's first fab, which is scheduled to begin operation in 2024, the overall investment in JASM will exceed US$20 billion with strong support from the Japanese government.

In response to rising customer demand, JASM plans to commence construction of its second fab by the end of 2024. The increased production scale is also expected to improve overall cost structure and supply chain efficiency for JASM. With both fabs, JASM's Kumamoto site is expected to offer a total production capacity of more than 100,000 12-inch wafers per month starting from 40, 22/28, 12/16 and 6/7 nanometer process technologies for automotive, industrial, consumer and HPC-related applications. The capacity plan may be further adjusted based upon customer demand. With both fabs, the Kumamoto site is expected to directly create more than 3,400 high-tech professional jobs.

GIGABYTE Technology, a pioneer in computer hardware, has taken a significant stride in shaping its European business model. Today, GIGABYTE has broadened its e-commerce platform, shop.gigabyte.eu, by integrating enterprise server and server motherboard solutions into its product portfolio. Being at the forefront of computer hardware manufacturing, GIGABYTE recognizes that it is imperative to expand its presence in the EMEA region to maintain its leadership across all markets. With the introduction of our enterprise-level server and motherboard solutions, we are dedicated to delivering a diverse range of high-performance products directly to our B2B clients.

GIGABYTE offers a complete product portfolio that addresses all workloads from the data center to edge including traditional and emerging workloads in HPC and AI to data analytics, 5G/edge, cloud computing, and more. Our enduring partnerships with key technology leaders ensure that our new products are at the forefront of innovation and launch with new partner platforms. Our systems embody performance, security, scalability, and sustainability. Within the e-commerce product portfolio, we offer a selection of models from our Edge, Rack, GPU, and Storage series. Additionally, the platform provides server motherboards for custom integration. The current selection comprises a mix of solutions tailored to online sales. For more complex solutions, customers can get in touch via the integrated contact form.

Today, KIOXIA SSDs took flight with the launch of the NG-20 mission rocket, which is delivering an updated HPE Spaceborne Computer-2, based on HPE EdgeLine and ProLiant servers from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), to the International Space Station (ISS). KIOXIA SSDs provide robust flash storage in HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 to conduct scientific experiments aboard the space station.

HPE Spaceborne Computer-2, based on commercial off-the-shelf technology, provides edge computing and AI capabilities on board the research outpost as part of a greater mission to significantly advance computing power in space and reduce dependency on communications as space exploration continues to expand. Designed to perform various high-performance computing (HPC) workloads in space, including real-time image processing, deep learning, and scientific simulations, HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 can be used to compute a number of experiment types including healthcare, natural disaster recovery, 3D printing, 5G, AI, and more.

CES always gives us an exciting look at what's next for hardware, and with gaming at the forefront of technological innovation, it's no surprise that CES 2024 has revealed some truly next-generation Windows 11 gaming PCs. Microsoft and our partners are leading the way in combining traditional power with advancements in AI, and this selection of new announcements are a perfect way to future-proof your gaming experience on PC.

Every PC on this list is designed to run the latest games - including those on PC Game Pass, which will help you to jump into some of the greatest games on the platform the moment you switch on your new machine. Even better, every single computer listed below comes with at least one free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, giving players access to hundreds of high-quality PC, console and cloud games.

HP brand that focuses on video conferencing hardware, Poly, is extended into peripherals and accessories targeting the modern professional on the move; and released a pair of true wireless (TWS) earbuds. These are designed as lifestyle products, and it shows in their premium design. The Voyager Free 20 comes in a glossy metallic charging case with a USB-C power input, and support for Qi wireless charging. The earbuds themselves come with powerful 10 mm drivers, adaptive ANC (active noise cancellation), and "triple noise canceling" mics with a high degree of engineering involved in getting your voice right in a noisy environment. The Poly Lens app lets you set-up and control your pair of earbuds. Battery life claimed is 20 hours including the case. Available from May 2024, the Voyager Free 20 is expected to be priced at $149. The Voyager Free 60 by Poly is a more premium offering, designed for both work and play (as a somewhat music/audiophile friendly pair). It comes with adaptive ANC, a higher-spec earphone set, a higher capacity battery with up to 24 hours including the charging case, and up to 18 hours of talktime; and a smart case that has a touchscreen for battery stats.

HyperX, now an HP brand, made a big splash this 2024 CES, with the new Alloy Rise 75, and some groovy keysets. The Alloy Rise 75 is a slick 75% keyboard with various key switch options, a programmable rotary dial, and pudding keycaps. The company also showed off top-plate accessories for the full-sized Alloy Rise keyboard. They pudding keycaps on these are easy to replace with one of many new keysets and panel kits HyperX brought out this year.

A panel kit consists of keycaps, headset body mounts along the headphone cans; and additional mounts along the headband. Among the panel kits we spied were Valkyrie—the one with the angelic wings on the headset panel; Mythical—the one with the orc ears and teeth; Werewolf—the one with the claws; and Something (literally that), but a mix of elements such as mushrooms and dragon claws.

Today at CES 2024, HP Inc. unveiled its most personalized gaming portfolio yet with innovations across its OMEN and HyperX brands. New laptops, accessories, and software are all designed to work together to create a seamless gaming ecosystem so gamers can focus on what they do best - play.

"Computing continues to become more personal, and this is especially true in the gaming community," said Josephine Tan, Senior Vice President & Division President of Personal Systems Gaming Solutions, HP Inc. "Whether it is your gaming laptop, monitor, or accessory, HP has developed a customizable and personalized solution that can be tailored to your need."

Today at CES 2024, HP Inc. ushered in a new era of computing with its latest portfolio of PCs, monitors, and peripherals designed to reimagine how we interact and live with technology.

"We believe that the best innovations are also the most personal ones," said Samuel Chang, Senior Vice President & Division President of Personal Systems Consumer Solutions, HP Inc. "New technologies from HP deliver solutions that allow us to be more personalized than ever, taking advantage of game-changing innovations like AI that will alter the way that technology moves us forward."

Hot on the heels of LG's UltraGear 4K OLED monitor with Dual-Hz feature, specifications and pictures of the upcoming HP OMEN Transcend 4K OLED monitor have leaked online. It will come with 32-inch 4K OLED panel with 240 Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1000 nits in HDR mode. The monitor will feature HP's Omen Tempest Cooling Tech to mitigate the risk of burn-in problems, as well as support for AMD FreeSync and Dolby Vision.

The rest of the known specifications, reported by Windows Report, include KVM switch, a feature that is quite popular in monitors these days, as well as HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 support. It also includes several other USB Type-C and Type-A ports. The monitor is expected to be the star of HP's OMEN CES 2024 lineup.

Today, AMD announced the extension of its 3rd Gen AMD EPYC processor family with six new offerings providing a robust suite of data center CPUs to meet the needs of general IT and mainstream computing for businesses seeking to leverage the economics of established platforms. The complete family of 3rd Gen AMD EPYC CPUs complements the leadership performance and efficiency of the latest 4th Gen AMD EPYC processors with impressive price-performance, modern security features and energy efficiency for less technically demanding business critical workloads.

The race to deliver AI and high performance computing is creating a technology gap for IT decision-makers seeking mainstream performance. To meet the growing demand for widely deployed, cost effective and proven mainstream solutions in the mid-market and in the channel, AMD is extending the 3rd Gen EPYC CPU offering to provide excellent value, performance, energy efficiency and security features for business-critical applications. The 3rd Gen AMD EPYC CPU portfolio enables a wide array of broadly deployed enterprise server solutions, supported by trusted channel sellers and OEMs such as Cisco, Dell Technologies, Gigabyte, HPE, Lenovo and Supermicro.

HyperX, the gaming peripherals team at HP Inc. and brand leader in gaming and esports, today announced the release of the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB Gaming Controller. Designed specifically for Xbox gamers, the new Clutch Gladiate RGB delivers precision and comfort in a transparent design, unleashing next-level customization with full body RGB lighting options.

The Clutch Gladiate RGB provides an immersive gaming experience with robust dual rumble motors and tactile grips, ensuring games equipped with vibration feedback provide an engaging gameplay experience. The controller also boasts impulse triggers that offer variable tactile feedback, allowing gamers to connect to the game in unmatched ways. Integrated with impulse rumble motors, this feature provides haptic feedback for an elevated gaming experience.

Today marks the end of support for Itanium's IA-64 architecture in the Linux kernel's 6.7 update—a significant milestone in the winding-down saga of Intel Itanium. Itanium, initially Intel's ambitious venture into 64-bit computing, faced challenges and struggled throughout its existence. It was jointly developed by Intel and HP but encountered delays and lacked compatibility with x86 software, a significant obstacle to its adoption. When AMD introduced x86-64 (AMD64) for its Opteron CPUs, which could run x86 software natively, Intel was compelled to update Xeon, based on x86-64 technology, leaving Itanium to fade into the background.

Despite ongoing efforts to sustain Itanium, it no longer received annual CPU product updates, and the last update came in 2017. The removal of IA-64 support in the Linux kernel will have a substantial impact since Linux is an essential operating system for Itanium CPUs. Without ongoing updates, the usability of Itanium servers will inevitably decline, pushing the (few) remaining Itanium users to migrate to alternative solutions, which are most likely looking to modernize their product stack.

To enable professionals worldwide to build and run AI applications right from their desktops, NVIDIA and AMD are powering a new line of workstations equipped with NVIDIA RTX Ada Generation GPUs and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7000 WX-Series CPUs. Bringing together the highest levels of AI computing, rendering and simulation capabilities, these new platforms enable professionals to efficiently tackle the most resource-intensive, large-scale AI workflows locally.

Bringing AI Innovation to the Desktop
Advanced AI tasks typically require data-center-level performance. Training a large language model with a trillion parameters, for example, takes thousands of GPUs running for weeks, though research is underway to reduce model size and enable model training on smaller systems while still maintaining high levels of AI model accuracy. The new NVIDIA RTX GPU and AMD CPU-powered AI workstations provide the power and performance required for training such smaller models, as well as local fine-tuning, and helping to offload data center and cloud resources for AI development tasks. The devices let users select single- or multi-GPU configurations as required for their workloads.

Today, HP unveiled the newest addition to the Z by HP workstation lineup: the HP Z6 G5 A, a cutting-edge desktop workstation designed to meet the demanding needs of virtual production, 3D rendering, AI, and machine learning professionals. With the highest number of cores ever in a Z by HP workstation and the ability to configure up to 3 high-performance graphics cards, the Z6 G5 A is set to revolutionize productivity and performance.

Powered by the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO CPU, the Z6 G5 A features up to 96 cores in a single workstation CPU, allowing users to create and render simultaneously on intensive projects. With space for up to 3 high-end NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation GPUs or AMD GPUs and eight memory channels, the Z6 G5 A is perfect for tearing through virtual production, 3D modeling tasks, or complex, advanced data sets.

Ever since the creation of A64FX for the Fugaku supercomputer, Fujitsu has been plotting the development of next-generation CPU design for accelerating AI and general-purpose HPC workloads in the data center. Codenamed Monaka, the CPU is the latest creation for TSMC's 2 nm semiconductor manufacturing node. Based on Armv9-A ISA, the CPU will feature up to 150 cores with Scalable Vector Extensions 2 (SVE2), so it can process a wide variety of vector data sets in parallel. Using a 3D chiplet design, the 150 cores will be split into different dies and placed alongside SRAM and I/O controller. The current width of the SVE2 implementation is unknown.

The CPU is designed to support DDR5 memory and PCIe 6.0 connection for attaching storage and other accelerators. To bring cache coherency among application-specific accelerators, CXL 3.0 is present as well. Interestingly, Monaka is planned to arrive in FY2027, which starts in 2026 on January 1st. The CPU will supposedly use air cooling, meaning the design aims for power efficiency. Additionally, it is essential to note that Monaka is not a processor that will power the post-Fugaku supercomputer. The post-Fugaku supercomputer will use post-Monaka design, likely iterating on the design principles that Monaka uses and refining them for the launch of the post-Fugaku supercomputer scheduled for 2030. Below are the slides from Fujitsu's presentation, in Japenese, which highlight the design goals of the CPU.

The downward spiral for PC shipments continued during the third quarter of 2023 (3Q23) as global volumes declined 7.6% year over year with 68.2 million PCs shipped, according to preliminary results from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. Though demand and the global economy remain subdued, PC shipments have increased in each of the last two quarters, slowing the rate of annual decline and indicating that the market has moved past the bottom of the trough.

PC inventory has also become leaner in the past few months and is near healthy levels in most channels. However, downward pressure on pricing persists and will likely remain an issue within the consumer and business sectors. While most of the top 5 vendors experienced double-digit declines during the quarter, Apple's outsized decline was the result of unfavorable year-over-year comparisons as the company recovered from a COVID-related halt in production during 3Q22. Meanwhile, HP's growth was largely due to the normalizing of inventory.

Today HP Inc. redefined versatility with the HP Spectre Foldable PC, a remarkable 3-in-1 device with a foldable screen that seamlessly integrates the best features of a laptop, tablet, and desktop for the ultimate hybrid experience.

"Consumers are demanding greater flexibility to connect, work, and play for their hybrid lives beyond what the traditional laptop can provide," said Jo Tan, Senior Vice President & Division President of Personal Systems Consumer Solutions, HP Inc. "We are excited to introduce the HP Spectre Foldable PC, designed to seamlessly adapt to the various ways you want to work with its unique, durable form factor that pushes the boundaries of design and technology."

Today, Google announced its next generation of Chromebook devices, called the Chromebook Plus, said to improve upon the legacy set by Chromebooks over a decade ago. Starting at an enticing price point of $399, this new breed of Chromebooks integrates powerful AI capabilities and a range of built-in Google apps. Notably, it features tools like the Google Photos Magic Eraser and web-based Adobe Photoshop, positioning itself as a dynamic tool for productivity and creative exploration. In collaboration with hardware manufacturers such as Acer, ASUS, HP, and Lenovo, Google is launching a lineup of eight Chromebook Plus devices on the launch date, with more possibly coming in the future.

Each model boasts improved hardware configurations over the regular Chromebook, including processors like the Intel Core i3 12th Gen or the AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series, a minimum of 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB storage. Users are also in for a visual treat with a 1080p IPS display, ensuring crisp visuals for entertainment and work. And for the modern remote workforce, video conferencing gets a substantial upgrade. Every Chromebook Plus comes equipped with a 1080p camera and utilizes AI enhancements to elevate video call clarity, with compatibility spanning various platforms, including Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Set to be available from October 8, 2023, in the US and October 9 in Canada and Europe, the Chromebook Plus is positioning itself as the go-to device for many users. On the other hand, the AI features are slated for arrival in 2024, when companies ensure their software is compatible.Below you can see the upcoming models.

Today HP Inc. redefined versatility with the HP Spectre Foldable PC, a remarkable 3-in-1 device with a foldable screen that seamlessly integrates the best features of a laptop, tablet, and desktop for the ultimate hybrid experience. "Consumers are demanding greater flexibility to connect, work, and play for their hybrid lives beyond what the traditional laptop can provide," said Jo Tan, Senior Vice President & Division President of Personal Systems Consumer Solutions, HP Inc. "We are excited to introduce the HP Spectre Foldable PC, designed to seamlessly adapt to the various ways you want to work with its unique, durable form factor that pushes the boundaries of design and technology."

Designed for Tomorrow's Hybrid Flexibility
The Spectre Fold easily transitions between the three distinct form factors for a frictionless user experience. Effortlessly switch from a traditional laptop to a slim tablet with a continuous 17-inch screen, then to a powerful desktop with a sleek built-in kickstand. This is made possible with a foldable panel and integrated hinge, designed for durability and tested with the same requirements as traditional HP laptops.

According to the latest report from Nikkei, HP, the world's second-largest PC manufacturer after Lenovo, is making strategic shifts in its laptop production bases. In a move that reflects broader trends among tech giants, HP is collaborating with various Electronic Manufacturing Service (EMS) providers to move a significant part of its laptop production out of China to other countries such as Thailand, Mexico, and eventually Vietnam. For 2023 alone, the production outside of China is expected to range from a few million units up to 5 million, a noteworthy figure given HP's total global PC shipments of 55.2 million units. Commercial notebooks are slated for production in Mexico, catering to HP's primary market, North America, with consumer laptops made in Thailand. Additionally, a shift to Vietnam is on the horizon for 2024. Thailand's mature PC supplier ecosystem is anticipated to facilitate a smoother transition for HP.

HP's reconfiguration of manufacturing locations aligns with similar initiatives by other tech giants. Dell, for example, is also reducing its reliance on Chinese-made chips and aims to manufacture at least 20% of its laptops in Vietnam this year. Apple has likewise commenced MacBook production in the same country. Several factors are driving these relocations, with rising manufacturing costs in China, including labor recruitment challenges and increased labor costs, being key among them. Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China also weigh in on these decisions, especially since the U.S. is a crucial market for both HP and Dell. Despite the diversification, HP reaffirms its commitment to continue operations in China, particularly in Chongqing, a significant laptop production hub since 2008.

AMD appears set to enhance the core count for its renowned Threadripper series. After a prolonged wait, the high-end desktop (HEDT) platform boasting a significant CPU count returns with the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7995WX, which features an impressive 96 cores and 192 threads. This marks the series' first core count upgrade since the Threadripper 3000 series. The 7995WX CPU was spotted in the HP Z6 G5 Workstation system, potentially one of the inaugural prebuilt systems from AMD's OEM partners. The Threadripper PRO series seems poised to dominate AMD's HEDT offerings, with no indications of non-PRO consumer models emerging for now.

The latest Geekbench listing unveiled the 7995WX CPU's 96-core configuration. Although the base frequency appears misrepresented, benchmark data hints at the 96-core CPU potentially reaching a boost clock of 5.14 GHz, a detail further confirmed by Geekbench's output. Another notable enhancement in the Threadripper series is introducing the DDR5 memory standard. While the benchmarking tool doesn't explicitly mention this, it does highlight a memory configuration of 503.27 GB (512 GB) in use. The CPU managed to score 2095 points for single-core score and 81408 points for multi-core score on Geekbench v5.5 for Linux (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS), making it one of the fastest CPUs in the database.