Global PC shipments are moving in two very different directions in 2025. While the Asia-Pacific region continues to surge with double-digit growth, the North American market has stumbled, dragged down by import tariffs and macroeconomic turbulence. 
According to fresh IDC data, the second and third quarters of 2025 have brought a sharp slowdown in the U.S., ending the brief but powerful momentum seen earlier in the year.
In the first quarter of 2025, PC makers across North America enjoyed one of their strongest rebounds since the pandemic. Shipments soared well above Q3 and Q4 2024 levels, with many distributors rushing to stock up ahead of expected tariff hikes. But that early optimism proved short-lived. By Q2 and Q3, the market’s growth curve flattened dramatically as companies and consumers hesitated amid pricing uncertainty. The report attributes this decline to what it calls a ‘tariff shock’ – a sudden disruption that rippled through the supply chain, inflating costs and dampening demand.
Jean Phillippe Bouchard, IDC’s Research VP, notes that while global momentum remains positive overall, North America is struggling to regain consistency. “The Windows 11 transition continues to push replacements, but U.S. buyers are waiting for economic clarity,” he explained. “We expect a more sustained rebound only by late 2026, once confidence and pricing stabilize.”
Elsewhere, however, the story is completely different. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) market is seeing a renaissance. Shipments there jumped by 14% year-over-year in Q2 and Q3 2025, powered by particularly strong performances in Japan and China. Japan has been the star performer, with two main forces driving sales: the approaching end of support for Windows 10 and the ongoing GIGA School Program, a national initiative providing every student with a personal device. The combination of corporate refresh cycles and large-scale educational procurement has created what analysts describe as a ‘perfect storm of demand.’
“Japan’s replacement wave, triggered by the Windows 10 deadline, has transformed its PC landscape,” explained Maciek Gornicki, Senior Research Manager at IDC. “Schools, government offices, and enterprises are upgrading simultaneously, creating a ripple effect across the supply chain.” Gornicki adds that outside Japan, growth has been moderate, limited by political and economic uncertainty in countries such as India and Indonesia. Still, some recovery was noted from refresh cycles of PCs bought during or before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In terms of market leadership, Lenovo continues to dominate, extending its global market share to 25.5% – up from 23.8% a year earlier. That’s a 17.3% year-over-year increase, confirming Lenovo’s status as the world’s PC leader. HP remains in second place with a 19.8% share, growing by a respectable 10.7%. Meanwhile, Apple follows closely, posting a 13.7% jump in shipments as its Mac lineup continues to gain traction among both consumers and businesses. Dell saw a modest 2.6% increase but still holds a solid third position at 13.3%, down slightly from 14.2%.
Overall, IDC’s data suggests a market in transition – shifting from the short-term turbulence of tariff-driven buying cycles toward a more measured, regionally diverse growth pattern. The Windows 11 upgrade wave remains a global catalyst, but in 2025, geography and policy have proven just as influential. As the world heads into 2026, the divide between struggling Western markets and thriving Asian economies may widen further, underscoring how local policy and infrastructure investments continue to shape global technology trends.
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apple still growing fast even with crazy prices huh