17.1.2024 | Market analyses ITscope Market barometer Q4/2023

Mobile Phones on a path to success

The ITscope Market Barometer Q4/2023 has arrived, serving as a comprehensive compass for the IT and telecommunications industry. By providing a detailed insight into the top-selling products and exciting newcomers in the market, it guides you towards the most significant trends and developments in the last quarter of 2023.

ITscope Market barometer Q4/2023 as a PDF

The ITscope market barometer is based on ITscope GmbH’s own analysis.

Karlsruhe, January 18, 2024 - The fourth quarter of the year is often associated with exciting new releases in the IT and telecommunications sector - and Apple, in particular, caused a stir with its latest products in Q4/2023. The ITscope Market Barometer sheds light on how these new additions, along with other trends, are shaping the IT market landscape and the role they play in the current market dynamics. Taking center stage are the latest flagship smartphones, which have garnered impressive click numbers, indicating a clear trend: the smartphone segment is booming.

Full steam ahead for Apple

The new iPhone models from Apple played a prominent role. The iPhone 15 Pro Max sailed to the top of the popularity chart with 3,804 clicks and was awarded a "very good" rating by Stiftung Warentest, the best-known German consumer organisation, making it the first smartphone ever to receive such recognition. "Apple is not only successful in the consumer sector with its latest iPhone series, but also in the professional environment," says Oliver Gorges, Director of Sales & Marketing at ITscope. "The convergence of the B2B & B2C target groups is increasing here - this can be seen from our sales statistics."

In the tablet category, the Apple iPad Wi-Fi, 10.2 maintained its top position - and that too in a year without any iPad releases. In the notebook category, the 2020 Apple MacBook Air, 13.3" stood out as an unexpected leader. Is this a change in course in the predominantly Windows-dominated B2B environment? "The 2020 MacBook Air is a good, reliable notebook and thanks to the M1 chip, it is suitable for many purposes, both privately and professionally," comments ITscope CEO Benjamin Mund. "However, most offices still rely on a Windows environment, which provides more flexibility."

Choppy waters ahead for the printing industry

The printer industry faced a challenging year in 2023, as it grappled with a decline in demand despite the dominance of familiar models. Oliver Gorges remarked, "The printer industry is confronting significant challenges. The ongoing digitization and shift towards paperless work environments are forcing manufacturers to reassess their strategies and focus on innovative solutions."

Samsung's SSDs set the course for success.

SSDs (Solid State Drives) have become more popular than traditional hard drives (HDDs) on ITscope. Samsung has maintained its leadership position in this area with a range of high-performance models, some of which have even seen an increase in the dealer purchase price (HEK). Additionally, the growing adoption of the PCIe4.0 standard is noteworthy. However, classic HDDs still have their justification, particularly for storing large amounts of data and backups.

Content

Highflyer
Mobile phones
Tablets 
Docking stations
Notebooks
PC-systems
SSDs
Printers
Processors

Highflyer: Exploring the top innovations

Embarking on an exciting journey, the ITscope Highflyer showcases the latest and most talked-about releases in the IT and telecommunications industry. Each product category crowns the article with the highest number of clicks as the Highflyer.

Number 1: Lenovo's PC system

In the fourth quarter of 2023, one brand captures attention: Apple. The newly launched products from the Californian manufacturer receive significant clicks and seem to be in vogue even in the B2B sector. However, they don't take the top spot. That honor goes to the Lenovo PC system, ThinkCentre M70q Gen 3 11T3, which has consistently shined as a top newcomer in previous quarters and maintains its lead with 6,367 clicks.

New Apple products dominate the top list

Among the new Apple products making their way into the top list, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max stands out, securing the second place in the ITscope Highflyer ranking. Computer Bild rates this mobile phone as "the largest, most expensive, and best-equipped iPhone to date" with a score of 1.4. The new Apple AirPods Pro 2, ranking third with 1,589 clicks, prove to be the most popular new headphones. Despite the fact that new features, such as microphone control, can only be fully utilized with the latest iOS, they remain a favorite according to Golem. Other Apple products on the Highflyer list include the MacBook Pro, referred to by Golem as "an almost perfect notebook" in the notebook category, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, leading the smartwatch bestseller list according to Chip.de and the most popular wearable on ITscope. The Apple Pencil also makes it to the Highflyer list with 461 clicks as an input device, praised by ComputerBild for its numerous features and lower price.

PC components for professionals

In the graphics card category, MSI stands out with the GeForce RTX 4070 Ti GAMING X SLIM 12G, landing in fifth place in the ITscope Highflyer list. Highlighted for its compact size and efficient cooling concept by PC Games Hardware and HardwareLuxx, it offers an interesting option for users seeking a powerful graphics card.

The Samsung 990 PRO MZ-V9P4T0BW SSD is particularly suitable for high-end gaming and graphic editing, ranking seventh. It stands out with its increasing HPP and one-sided assembly, which offers practical advantages in temperature management according to HardwareLuxx.

The Intel Core i7-14700K, part of Intel's Raptor Lake processors' refresh series, achieves 807 clicks. Despite mixed reviews of the entire refresh, the i7 performs better than its i5 and i9 counterparts, as reported by ComputerBase.

Technology trends in B2B

The most popular new tablet PC is the Microsoft Surface Go 4 for Business, an affordable convertible with an HPP of €592.95. The high demand for this device is reflected in the fact that it was only available at a few ITscope retailers in mid-December. This is also one reason for the exceptionally high click numbers on ITscope - when availability is low, retailers often use the platform to search for alternative sources. The tablet's inventory has now recovered.

Also worth noting, even though it didn't make it into the top ten, is the new Dell UltraSharp TFT, which garnered 189 clicks. The monitor features IPS Black technology, supporting a wider viewing angle and improved color accuracy, particularly in dark scenes. This demonstrates that innovative screen technologies are of interest to professional users, especially when it comes to improved image quality and color contrast.

Check out the top 20 newcomers with hot-seller potential - our Highflyers:

Mobile phones: The iPhone 15 takes the lead

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the category of mobile phones on the ITscope platform experienced a remarkable increase in click-through rates, fueled primarily by the introduction of Apple's new iPhone 15 series. Compared to the previous quarter, the overall click-through rates on the platform, and even in comparison to the fourth quarter of 2022, there was an above-average demand. Additionally, the sales trend on ITscope experienced occasional sharp spikes.

The click-through rates for mobile phones on ITscope skyrocketed in Q4 2023.

The iPhone 15 models are selling well, as evidenced by the example of the iPhone 15 Pro, which sold 1,188 units on ITscope alone on December 29th, according to sales trends.

Leading the charge in this dynamic was the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, capturing the top spot in the category with an impressive 3,804 clicks. Priced at a dealer purchase price (HEK) of €1,206.43, this flagship model stands out with features such as the Super Retina XDR display with 2796 x 1290 pixels at 460 ppi, the A16 processor, and a high-quality camera system. Notably, it received a "very good" rating from Stiftung Warentest, marking the first time a smartphone has achieved such recognition, further highlighting the exceptional quality and performance of the iPhone 15 series, especially the Pro Max model.

The Apple iPhone 15 secured the fifth spot with an HEK of €777.14 and 2,234 clicks. It surpassed its predecessor, the iPhone 14, in reviews and value for money, as showcased in a comparison on Stern.de. Following closely behind, the iPhone 15 Pro claimed the sixth position with 1,862 clicks.

Tablets: A year without new iPads - Calm waters or storm?

In the fourth quarter of 2023, despite the absence of any new iPad releases, the Apple iPad Wi-Fi, 10.2" model maintained its position as the most popular product on the ITscope platform. This achievement is particularly remarkable and showcases the continued demand for tablets in the technological sector, as evidenced by the significant increase in click-through rates compared to the previous year. This trend is also reflected in the overall click-through rates on ITscope, further highlighting the growing importance of tablets and their sustained popularity in the professional market. According to reports from WinFuture, Apple plans to update its entire tablet range in 2024, creating even more anticipation among consumers and professionals alike.

Interest in tablet PCs is surging on the ITscope platform.

While Apple dominates in the mid-price range, Microsoft has made a strong presence in the high-end market with products like the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 for Business, securing the second position with 2,830 clicks and a dealer purchase price of €1,600.93. This surpasses the Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which ranked 16th with 841 clicks and a dealer purchase price of €1,430.73. On the other hand, affordable models such as the Samsung Tab A8 (€151.13) dominate the lower price range.

A new standout performer on the list is the Microsoft Surface Go 4 for Business, with the product code XHU-00004, earning the nickname "The Baby-Surface" from Dr. Windows. Despite its compact size, this tablet has impressed experts and is even recommended for personal use.

Laptops: A shift in operating systems?

The notebook category on the ITscope platform experienced a remarkable shift in the fourth quarter of 2023. Defying the dominance of Windows products in the B2B environment, the Apple MacBook Air, 13.3" from 2020 emerged as the frontrunner in the ITscope category. Benjamin Mund, CEO of ITscope, commented, "The MacBook Air has established itself as a typical Black Friday product – reliable and now available at a relatively affordable price, even though drastic price reductions were absent." Another newcomer, the Apple MacBook Pro MRX33D/A, made an impressive leap from 0 to 15th place.

Despite a marginal decrease in price, the Apple MacBook Air, 13.3" gained significant attention and saw strong sales in the fourth quarter.

Lenovo notebooks were in high demand during the fourth quarter. Coming in at second place was the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen, described by ComputerBild as a robust workhorse. Taking the third spot was the high-end Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4, equipped with an Intel Core i9, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, and priced at €1,715.13. Interestingly, the demand for this product on ITscope increased significantly when the inventory was low. With its powerful CPU and GPU combination, this notebook appeals to both demanding business tasks and creative applications.

The Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 garnered significant interest, especially as the inventory levels dwindled, showcasing its popularity among consumers.

The Lenovo ThinkPad E16, offering an affordable alternative with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, positions itself at 4th place as an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers. Taking the 8th spot is the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2, distinguished by its three-year Lenovo Premium Support, making it ideal for professional users who prioritize reliability and service. However, with a dealer purchase price (HEK) of €2,452.41, it comes at a higher cost.

Another noteworthy contender is the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 4, earning the 10th spot with its versatility as a convertible and the powerful i7 processor, all at a dealer purchase price (HEK) of €1,603.46. Lastly, rounding out the list is the Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5, a solid business notebook priced at €769.18, securing the 11th position.

Docking stations: Riding the tides with USB-C and Thunderbolt

Docking stations have become an integral part of the business world, connecting laptops to peripheral devices and screens, and enabling hybrid work models. When choosing a docking station, the type of connections, such as USB-C or Thunderbolt, and the power are crucial factors to consider. Despite their standardized appearance, docking stations come with a variety of differences that manifest in key features like charging speed (wattage), data transfer, and multi-monitor support. These essential characteristics drive market dynamics and pose a challenge for businesses to find the ideal model from a wide range of options. Docking stations that offer a multitude of different connections and functionalities are particularly sought after, as they provide high compatibility with various devices and use cases.

At the top of the ITscope charts sits the Lenovo ThinkPad Universal USB-C Dock 40AY0090EU with 90 watts and an impressive 7,798 clicks. This versatile dock, which has proven itself in independent tests, such as those conducted by FAZ, is not only suitable for popular Lenovo ThinkPads but also offers broad compatibility with other devices.

Taking second place with 2,483 clicks is the Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock, which has been recognized by Chip.de as one of the best Thunderbolt docks. It combines high transfer speeds with a variety of ports and is a top choice for users with high demands.

Dell and HP also have a strong presence in this category. The Dell WD19S docking station with USB-C, HDMI, and DisplayPort ports, as well as a power output of 130 watts, takes third place. Following closely behind in fourth place is HP's USB-C Dock G5, which also has USB-C ports, a GigE port, and a power output of 100 watts.

The Lenovo ThinkPad Hybrid USB-C/-A Dock and the Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 4 WorkStation Dock, the latter being the most expensive dock in the top 15 with 2,152 clicks, offer advanced connectivity options and are particularly interesting for professional users. In 10th place is the most affordable product in the top 10, the HP USB-C/A Universal Dock G2.

Specifically designed for Microsoft Surface products, the Microsoft Surface Dock 2 offers a specific solution with its Surface Connect cable and lands in 11th place. The docking station is not universally compatible.

PC systems: Lenovo sets sail

The PC complete systems are on the rise again: Although the click numbers on ITscope are still below those of the previous year, the gap is significantly smaller than in Q3.

PC systems are experiencing a resurgence in demand in the fourth quarter of 2023.

In the category of PC complete systems, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q Gen 3 11T300BWGE has emerged as the top performer of the fourth quarter of 2023, with an impressive 6,367 clicks. This system stands out for its balanced combination of a powerful mid-range CPU, the i5 12400T, and generous storage capacity, with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, ensuring remarkable everyday performance. The more compact variant, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q Gen 3 11T300B3GE, secured the fifth position, offering the same CPU but with half the storage - 8GB of RAM and 256GB - as a more cost-effective option. The price difference between the two variants is €86.31, making the smaller version an attractive alternative for budget-conscious buyers.

The Dell OptiPlex 7010 system is also experiencing a boost, claiming the fourth place with its Core i5 13500T. Climbing from rank 80 to sixth place is the HP Workstation Z2 G9, one of the few tower PCs in the top ranks of the ITscope category. Equipped with a powerful i7 processor, this workstation has a dealer purchase price (HEK) of €1,201.26.

The Lenovo M75q Workstation, ranking ninth, offers a powerful option with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor clocked at 3.2GHz. Completing the range of Lenovo complete systems is the Lenovo ThinkCentre M70t Gen 3, securing the twelfth position and highlighting the brand's diversity in the segment.

Currently unavailable is the HP Elite 600 G9 828Z0AT#ABD, a mini PC with a Core i5 processor. Since mid-December, the inventory level at all ITscope suppliers has dropped to 0. Nevertheless, this complete system still manages to attract 699 clicks on ITscope.

SSDs: Samsung takes the helm

SSDs, known for their fast data transfer and energy efficiency, have become an indispensable part of modern IT life and are now surpassing traditional hard drives (HDDs) in popularity on ITscope. Despite their dominance, HDDs continue to be relevant in certain applications. Alexander Stikel, Junior IT Systems Engineer at ITscope, explains, "For storing large amounts of data, such as backups, HDDs are still primarily used. They provide a more cost-effective alternative for data archiving, where speed is not a priority."

SSDs are receiving more clicks than traditional HDDs on ITscope in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Samsung dominates the field in the SSD category with a range of models known for their reliability and compatibility. The EVO series, designed for consumers, utilizes TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND flash technology, while the more powerful PRO models rely on MLC (Multi-Level Cell) technology with 2 bits per cell. The QVO series, although affordable, has not gained traction in the B2B sector. All of these SSDs are intended for installation purposes. It is worth noting that prices for some PRO models increased in the fourth quarter. Another significant development is the growing prevalence of the PCIe4.0 standard. SSDs with PCIe4.0 offer higher transfer rates, enabling faster and more efficient real-time data processing. Models with a PCIe4.0 interface, such as the Samsung 980 PRO and Samsung 990 PRO series, are highly popular, underscoring their relevance for demanding IT projects.

At the top of the click numbers is the Samsung 870 EVO MZ-77E500B with 500GB and 3,144 clicks, followed by the Samsung 980 PRO MZ-V8P1T0BW with 1TB and 2,702 clicks. A standout performer of the quarter is the Samsung 990 PRO MZ-V9P4T0BW with 4TB, whose price has significantly increased since its introduction.

The dealer purchase price (HEK) for the Samsung 990 PRO MZ-V9P4T0BW has seen a significant increase since its introduction to the market.

Printers: An industry navigating rough waters

In the category of printers and multifunction devices, innovation is rarely found, and as a result, familiar models like the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw continue to dominate this quarter. This model has been on the market since 2019. The declining interest in these printers could be attributed to the lack of new features, but it is more likely due to the ongoing digital transformation across industries. The year 2023 proved to be challenging for printers, with a decrease in interest observed on ITscope since January compared to the previous year, and this trend continued with a further decline in the fourth quarter.

Printers and multifunction devices are receiving fewer clicks on ITscope.

Processors: Intel surges ahead with the 14th generation

In the fourth quarter of 2023, a clear preference for AMD processors is evident on the ITscope platform. Leading the category with 1,472 clicks is the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, an impressive 8-core processor with Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), a clock speed of 4.2 GHz, and a remarkable 96MB L3 cache. Close behind in second place is the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, boasting 16 cores, SMT, a clock speed of 4.2 GHz, and an even larger 128MB L3 cache.

Of particular interest is the current development in the CPU market with the introduction of Intel's 14th Generation, also known as Core Ultra. According to WinFuture and ComputerBild, this generation promises a significant performance boost. In this dynamic market situation, the Intel Core i7 i7-14700K, a high-performing 20-core processor with 28 threads and a clock speed of 3.4 GHz, makes its mark as an ITscope highflyer, securing the fourth position and confirming the growing interest in Intel's new processor generation on ITscope.

Securing the ninth position in the CPU category is the new high-performance processor, Intel Core i9 i9-14900KF, with 32 threads and a clock speed of 3.2 GHz. According to PC Games Hardware, the i9-14900KF has set new world records in overclocking, making it suitable not only for demanding gamers and enthusiasts but also for professional users who require maximum performance.

Note: Wholesale selling prices (WSP) as at 02/01/2024

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About the ITscope Market barometer

ITscope is one of the leading platforms for IT procurement and sales in the B2B sector. It provides valuable support to system houses, resellers, distributors, and manufacturers in their digitalization efforts. One of the highlights of ITscope is its quarterly publication, the ITscope Market Barometer, which offers intriguing insights into the ever-evolving ICT industry. This includes identifying the most sought-after products among B2B customers and monitoring the fluctuating purchase prices of smartphones, notebooks, and processors. With its comprehensive market analysis, ITscope offers exclusive and valuable insights into the sales trends and market dynamics of the channel.