You already know it’s a tricky quarter for the PC market when Microsoft Floor income drops by 30 p.c…and that’s good.

Microsoft reported better-than-expected revenues for the primary calendar quarter of 2023, however Microsoft’s Extra Private Computing remained a black mark: It was the one division to expertise a income drop, down 9 p.c to $13.3 billion.

Of all the varied companies grouped collectively in that enterprise unit, two numbers caught out: Home windows OEM income fell 28 p.c, and Units (Floor) income fell by 30 p.c. That’s a sign that Microsoft’s PC prospects noticed a few 28 p.c drop in gross sales, whereas Floor units fell by 30 p.c, or barely extra. IDC (owned by PCWorld’s mother or father, IDG) beforehand reported that PC gross sales fell by 29 p.c to 56.9 million throughout the first quarter of 2023.

So it was a little bit shocking to listen to chief monetary officer Amy Hood current these numbers to analysts, then add that they had been really forward of expectations. Hood defined that Microsoft really noticed higher than anticipated PC demand, notably within the industrial section. Sadly for Microsoft, income was “negatively impacted by elevated channel stock ranges.”

That’s dangerous, for those who’re a Microsoft shareholder. However that’s nice information for those who’re a client, since “elevated channel stock” merely means “there’s numerous unsold PCs sitting on retailer cabinets.” To eliminate these unsold PCs, the standard manner has been by gross sales, reductions, promotions, bundles—all methods to entice you to purchase. There’s a cause why we observe the most effective offers that you will discover on laptops, nearly each day.

Hood additionally advised analysts that circumstances within the PC market ought to persist: Income ought to tick up barely to between $13.35 to $13.75 billion, however PC demand ought to stay unchanged and channel stock ought to stay elevated. The underside line: Anticipate laptop computer gross sales to proceed.

“Although channel stock has depleted in the previous few months, it’s nonetheless nicely above the wholesome 4 to 6 week vary,” mentioned Jitesh Ubrani, analysis supervisor for IDC’s Mobility and Client Machine Trackers, earlier this month. “Even with heavy discounting, channels and PC makers can anticipate elevated stock to persist into the center of the 12 months and doubtlessly into the third quarter.”

These gross sales (precise gross sales!) might prolong to Xbox as nicely. Xbox {hardware} income fell by a whopping 30 p.c—in Hood’s phrases, due to “elevated console provide,” and offset by higher than anticipated monetization. Translated, that signifies that Xbox {hardware} is lastly outselling client demand, implying extra gross sales are on their manner. If there’s any draw back, it’s that sport makers are discovering methods to lure avid gamers into shopping for further add-ons—which can be DLC, or not.

It’s generally straightforward to fall into the language that Wall Road employs: earnings are down, so it’s time to interrupt out the waterworks. On this case, each customers and Microsoft have one thing to cheer about: Microsoft’s cloud enterprise continued to buoy revenues and income, in order that Microsoft reported internet revenue ($18.3 billion, up 9 p.c) and income ($52.9 billion, up 7 p.c) that exceeded expectations.

However for you, the long run appears assured: The PC gross sales will proceed till gross sales enhance.