IDC reports 76.4 million PCs shipped in Q4 2025 as businesses accelerate upgrades before Windows 10 end-of-support and OEMs stockpile inventory ahead of anticipated tariffs.
The global PC market recorded its strongest quarterly growth in three years during Q4 2025, with shipments reaching 76.4 million units according to IDC's latest report. This represents a significant 9.8% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by two converging factors: the impending end of support for Windows 10 and manufacturers strategically building inventory ahead of expected tariff increases.
Market Dynamics Breakdown:
- Windows 10 Deadline Pressure: With Microsoft ending security updates for Windows 10 in October 2025, enterprises accelerated hardware refresh cycles. Corporate upgrades accounted for approximately 38% of quarterly shipments.
- Tariff Stockpiling: Major OEMs including Lenovo, HP, and Dell increased orders by 12-15% above typical Q4 volumes to mitigate anticipated tariff impacts on imported components.
- Regional Variations: EMEA led growth at 13.2% YoY, followed by Americas at 10.1%, while Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) grew at a slower 7.3% pace due to economic headwinds.
Inventory Overhang Concerns:
The inventory buildup has created potential volatility for 2026. IDC notes channel inventory reached 8.1 weeks of supply versus the historical 4-6 week norm. "OEMs are walking a tightrope," said IDC research director Linn Huang. "While necessary for tariff mitigation, this inventory bulge coincides with projected softening in commercial demand post-Windows 10 transition."
Pricing Pressures Loom:
Component costs are expected to rise 5-8% in H1 2026 due to new semiconductor tariffs. This may push consumer laptop prices upward just as replacement cycles normalize. Huang added: "We'll likely see aggressive promotional activity in Q2 as vendors clear excess inventory before back-to-school season."
The growth marks a notable recovery from 2023's 15% shipment decline but remains below 2019's pre-pandemic peak of 267 million annual units. With AI PC adoption still in early stages (representing under 15% of 2025 shipments), the market's near-term trajectory hinges on how effectively OEMs manage pricing power against inventory constraints.
Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker
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