The global PC market entered 2025 with a surprising upswing. According to preliminary data from IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, PC shipments grew by 4.9% year-over-year in Q1 2025, totaling 63.2 million units worldwide. However, looming US tariffs and macroeconomic pressures are casting uncertainty on the market’s future.

Surge in Shipments Ahead of Tariffs

IDC’s research vice president, Jean Philippe Bouchard noted a noticeable “pull-in” during Q1, as vendors and users hastened shipments to avoid the impact of upcoming US tariffs. With the new round of tariffs announced on April 2, 2025, businesses rushed to deliver products early, aiming to evade potential price hikes and disruptions in the latter half of the year.

Sustained Commercial Demand, But Inflation Looms

Commercial demand remained strong throughout the quarter, but there are concerns about how the new tariffs could impact future IT budgets. Bouchard warned that the inflationary pressure from the tariffs could cause companies to delay their spending decisions, particularly in the commercial segment.

Tariff Uncertainty Spurs Business Re-evaluation

Ryan Reith, IDC’s group vice president, emphasized the volatile business environment following the April 2 tariff announcement. While supply chains haven’t shown drastic changes yet, companies are reassessing everything from inventory management to manufacturing location and distribution strategies. Reith added that any price hikes in hardware will likely be passed on directly to consumers.

Q1 2025 Shipment Overview: Top 5 PC Vendors

Despite challenges, the market’s top players recorded robust performance:

Lenovo: Shipped 15.2 million units, claiming a 24.1% market share with a 10.8% YoY growth.

HP Inc: Delivered 12.8 million units (20.2% share), marking a 6.1% increase.

Dell Technologies: Reached 9.6 million shipments, growing 3.0% YoY and capturing 15.1% market share.

Apple: Achieved the highest growth among the top five, with 5.5 million units and a 14.1% jump.

ASUS: Registered 4.0 million units and an 11.1% increase, with a 6.3% share.

Other vendors collectively shipped 16.2 million units, though this segment saw a 3.6% YoY decline.

Outlook for the Rest of 2025

IDC notes that demand factors—such as the upcoming end of support for Windows 10 and increased interest in on-device AI—continue to support PC sales. However, uncertainties due to US tariffs, inflation, and potential global recessionary trends may reduce demand in the coming quarters.

Conclusion

While the PC market opened 2025 with growth and resilience, the path ahead is less predictable. Both consumers and companies will be navigating a complex landscape shaped by economic shifts, evolving demand, and regulatory changes. The industry will need to remain agile to balance strong early-year performance with caution in the face of volatility.