‘It’s Going To Last Forever’: Lenovo Sees Good Times Ahead

SAN FRANCISCO: PC maker Lenovo sees good times ahead as more companies tell staff they can work from home permanently. Facebook, Square, Twitter and Tata have all embraced the “work-from-home” mantra, following its growth during coronavirus lockdowns.

In an earnings call, Lenovo CEO Gianfranco Lanci, pictured, said the move to home-work will grow the addressable PC market by up to 30 percent.

Lanci said Lenovo’s Q4, ended March 31, saw demand for its PC and smart devices group jump four percent year-on-year, despite factory closures in China which limited product supply.

“Currently, most households in mature markets have one or two PCs per family but due to the work-from-home switch, alongside education, entertainment and shopping, the clear trend,” Lanci said, will beone PC per person in every home.

According to Lenovo, figures orders for laptops went through the roof in the four weeks ended March 22, with laptop sales in Western Europe alone jumping 55 percent.

 “I don’t think it’s going to just last for the coronavirus impact– it’s going to last forever,” Laci said.

 “People will continue to work from home even after the crisis, maybe not at the same level, not to 100 per cent, but for sure a good percentage of people will.”