Worries surrounding the Trump administration’s tariffs and the impending end of support for Windows 10 have notably influenced the dynamics of the PC market in the first quarter of 2025. According to a recent report from Gartner, PC shipments surged by 12.6% compared to the same quarter in 2024, with over 16 million computers dispatched in the last three months alone.
As businesses grapple with the uncertainty of fluctuating tariffs, many PC manufacturers have proactively ramped up their inventory levels. This strategic move has resulted in a greater availability of products for both individual consumers and enterprise clients. Simultaneously, the looming deadline for Windows 10 support, set for October, is compelling users to transition to Windows 11. Given that numerous older PCs lack the capability to run the new operating system, both consumers and businesses are finding themselves in need of new devices.
Gartner’s analysis encompasses desktop and laptop PCs running Windows, MacOS, or Chrome OS. However, the market’s overall stability remains tenuous, as consumers exhibit caution regarding their spending on PCs.
Which PC vendors experienced growth?
In the United States, all six leading PC vendors reported an increase in shipments during the last quarter compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Leading the pack was HP, which shipped 4.1 million PCs, capturing a 25.1% share of the market. Following closely was Dell, with 3.9 million shipments and a 23.9% market share. Lenovo secured third place with 3.1 million shipments, accounting for 19.2% of the market.
- Apple: 2.6 million computers shipped, 15.9% market share
- Acer: 944,000 PCs shipped, 5.8% market share
- ASUS: 464,000 shipments, 2.8% market share
What about globally?
On a global scale, PC shipments also saw an uptick last quarter, reaching 58.9 million units, a rise from 56.2 million in the same period the previous year. However, this growth translated to a more modest percentage increase of 4.8%. Globally, Lenovo maintained its lead, followed by HP, Dell, Apple, Acer, and ASUS. The surge in the global market was primarily driven by demand in the US and Japan, albeit for different reasons.
In Japan, robust business demand for PCs, particularly those replacing Windows 11 systems, along with the rising adoption of Chromebooks, significantly propelled shipment growth by 15.6%. Vendors participating in the GIGA education Chromebook replacement initiative seized this opportunity by providing upgrades to older devices, thereby sustaining momentum in the market.
