PC Shipment Growth Slows in America as Asia-Pacific Region Sees Double-Digit Sales Increase

Recent statistics from IDC indicate that the impact of US import tariffs has led to a noticeable decrease in PC shipments during the second and third quarters of 2025.

The North American region experienced robust growth in PC shipments during the first quarter of 2025, showcasing double-digit gains when compared to the third and fourth quarters of 2024. This surge, however, was short-lived and quickly dissipated due to the ramifications of “tariffs shock and ongoing economic uncertainties, ”according to IDC. By the second and third quarters of 2025, shipment levels in the United States dropped significantly, aligning closer to growth figures from Q3 2024.

While the overall market continues to thrive, buoyed by the transition to Windows 11 and the imperative to upgrade aging hardware, the performance across various regions tells different stories.

The North American market remains under pressure from the shocks caused by recent tariffs, compounded by broader economic uncertainties. Despite this, the appetite for newer PCs compatible with Windows 11 is expected to extend well into 2026.

– Jean Phillippe Bouchad, Research VP at IDC

Graph titled 'PC Market Annual Growth' displays data from Q3 2024 to Q3 2025, emphasizing 14% and 9% growth for the Asia-Pacific and Americas regions respectively. — Image Credit: IDC

Conversely, other global regions like Asia-Pacific (AP), Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and worldwide (WW) have experienced a notable uptick in PC shipments. The Asia-Pacific region, in particular, recorded a remarkable 14% year-over-year growth in Q2 and Q3 2025. This increase can be attributed to significant shipments from Japan and China, with Japan experiencing a unique set of drivers.

The primary catalyst for this surge is the impending end of support for Windows 10, prompting numerous Japanese businesses, educational institutions, and government entities to upgrade their computers to the latest Windows 11-based models. Additionally, the GIGA Education Project—a Japanese governmental initiative aimed at equipping every student with a personal device—has further fueled the demand for PCs in the region.

The uptick in demand largely resulted from Japan’s hardware upgrades triggered by the Windows 10 end-of-support and the GIGA Education Project.

Growth in regions outside Japan remains modest, primarily hindered by economic challenges and a slow adoption of Windows 11, though there are opportunities for hardware refreshes linked to devices acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic.

– Maciek Gornicki, Senior Research Manager at IDC

Chart illustrating the top five companies' worldwide PC shipments for Q3 2025, with Lenovo leading at 25.5% market share.

In terms of market share, Lenovo has solidified its position at the forefront, achieving a remarkable growth rate of 17.3% in Q3 2025, elevating its market share from 23.8% to 25.5%.Following Lenovo, Apple experienced a year-over-year growth of 13.7% while HP maintained its second place with a 19.8% market share, witnessing a growth of 10.7%.Despite a minor decline to 13.3% from the previous 14.2%, HP still holds a strong third position. Generally, all OEMs reported growth in Q3 2025, primarily driven by demand from regions outside North America.

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