PC Shipments Accelerate in Q3 Signaling Steady Refresh of Existing Installed Base

In line with IDC’s forecast, Q3 results show continued dynamism, demonstrating steady demand for PCs despite sluggish North American demand
NEEDHAM, Mass., October 8, 2025 – PC shipments during the third quarter of 2025 grew 9.4% from the prior year, with global volumes reaching 75.8 million units, according to preliminary results from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.
“While the entire market is continuing on a very strong year, fueled by Windows 11 transition and the need to replace an ageing installed base, the results by regions are telling different stories,” said Jean Philippe Bouchard, research vice-president with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. “In particular, the North American market continues to be impacted by the US import tariffs shock and by macroeconomic uncertainties. While existent, the demand for newer PCs ready for Windows 11 is likely to push well into 2026.”

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The Asia/Pacific (including Japan and China) PC market recorded double-digit growth.
“The demand was driven largely by Japan’s hardware refresh linked to Windows 10 end-of-support and the GIGA education project,” said Maciek Gornicki, senior research manager with IDC’s Worldwide Device Trackers. “Growth outside Japan was more modest — hindered by macroeconomic and political challenges and slow Windows 11 adoption — though there were pockets of opportunity from hardware refreshes of devices purchased during and before the COVID-19 pandemic.”


Source: IDC Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, October 8, 2025
Notes:
● IDC declares a statistical tie in the Personal Computing Device market when there is a difference of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) or less in the shipment shares among two or more vendors. Traditional PCs include Desktops, Notebooks, and Workstations and do not include Tablets or x86 Servers. Detachable Tablets and Slate Tablets are part of the Personal Computing Device Tracker but are not addressed in this press release.
● Shipments include shipments to distribution channels or end users. OEM sales are counted under the company/brand under which they are sold.
IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker gathers detailed market data in over 90 countries. The research includes historical and forecast trend analysis, among other data. For more information or to subscribe to the research, please contact Jackie Kliem at 508-988-7984 or jkliem@idc.com.
About IDC Trackers
IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, company share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC’s Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools.
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 100 countries. IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is the world’s leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on X at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.
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Coverage

Companies Covered
HP Inc.
LinkedIn Corporation
Lenovo Group Limited
Dell Technologies Inc.

Regions Covered
Asia Pacific
Japan
United States

Topics Covered
COVID-19
Hardware
Mobility
Traditional notebook