Global shipments of personal computers in the first quarter increased by 4.9 per cent year-on-year to 63.2 million units, according to a report by International Data Corporation (IDC), which presented preliminary data.
IDC notes that the market outlook for 2025 is difficult to assess, given the presence of factors that can both support and weaken the market.
“The market clearly received some momentum in the first quarter of this year as both vendors and buyers prepared for the potential impact of U.S. duties,” notes Jean-Philippe Bouchard, vice president of the Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers Group at IDC.
“Last quarter, which was not yet affected by duties, the entire ecosystem was trying to accelerate the pace of shipments to avoid the first round of U.S. tariffs and the volatility expected towards the end of the year,” he says. – “Commercial demand remained strong in the first quarter, but the new round of US customs tariffs announced on 2 April could have a direct inflationary impact on the PC market, resulting in a postponement of IT spending.
Uncertainty related to the impact of U.S. customs tariffs, likely increased inflationary pressures and global recession risk will negatively impact PC demand in the next quarters of 2025, IDC expects.