Why does AMD say we will buy many PCs this year?

AMD dreams that we will all buy more PCs, including those based on AMD, of course, and that dream can come true. Citing data from the National Retail Federation, Rick Bergman, vice president of computing and graphics at AMD, said he believes the sudden change to work and learn from home during the pandemic will bring a PC to every desk (and coffee table and counter at the kitchen) at home. .

“Previously, having a PC at home was considered a necessity by family,” Bergman wrote in a blog. “Now with the requirements around online education, working remotely, and wanting to have an outlet for downtime while staying home, the trend seems to be shifting to a demand for PC per person,” wrote Bergman. .

National Federation of Retailers

In his blog, Bergman cited NRF survey data showing that American families plan to spend a record $ 11.8 billion this year on electronics or computer equipment just to “go back to school,” a category that encompasses students in K -12. The same expense for 2019 was $ 7.7 billion, according to the NRF survey. The NRF survey shows that 63 percent of families with K-12 children plan to buy a computer this year.

NRF numbers also show that 60 percent of college shoppers plan to buy electronic products or computer-related equipment. Actual spending in that category by college-age students is projected to increase from $ 13.1B in 2019 to $ 16.7B in 2020.

The survey of 7,481 consumers was conducted between July 1 and 8 by Prosper Insights & Analytics and has a 1.1 percent margin of error.

Of course, a computer could mean everything from a $ 50 Amazon Fire tablet to a $ 5,000 workstation, and shoppers’ budgets seem to reflect that. Of the 7,481 people surveyed, the average amount expected to be spent in 2020 on K-12 electronics and computer hardware was $ 274.44.

National Federation of Retailers

While some will certainly buy high-end laptops and desktops, that spending range means that a large number of entry-level Windows 10 PCs and truckloads of Chromebooks are likely to be in virtual shopping carts. The $ 274.44 for computers and electronics has also increased significantly since 2018, where the average spend was $ 203.44, and 2018, where it was $ 187.10. Back in college, the average spend is just under $ 261.52, but that’s still an increase over the previous year’s expected spending of $ 243.69.

Bergman’s point is primarily to fly the flag for PCs, some of which presumably have AMD hardware within them. Despite its obvious leanings, it’s clear that the PC won’t go away for work and education needs, not to mention games. “While smartphones have seen impressive progress in recent years,” Bergman wrote. “The need for PCs to work, learn and play will not go away.”