The global PC market is on track to grow 4.1% by 2025, with 274 million units expected to be sold, according to IDC. This growth is happening despite new trade tariffs imposed by the US on Chinese products, which have driven up prices and created uncertainty in the industry.
In the first quarter of 2025, manufacturers and distributors rushed to place orders before the tariffs kicked in, resulting in a 4.9% increase in global PC shipments compared to the same period last year.
The Windows 11 Factor
The upcoming end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025 is also driving companies to upgrade to newer systems like Windows 11. Additionally, the growing demand for PCs with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities is expected to make up around 40% of total PC sales in 2025.
However, experts warn of potential challenges in the second half of the year. Higher prices due to tariffs, inflation, and possible delays in consumer purchases could affect the growth rate seen in early 2025.
Lenovo Leads the Pack
Companies like Lenovo, HP, and Dell continue to dominate the market, with Lenovo holding the largest global share. Apple also saw significant growth, with a 14.1% increase in shipments in the first quarter of 2025.
Overall, despite economic and trade uncertainties, the PC market is showing resilience, driven by factors like operating system updates and technological innovations.