### Global PC Market Expected to Experience Modest Growth Despite Economic Worries
Despite increasing apprehensions regarding U.S. tariffs and a slowing economy, the global PC market is forecasted to achieve modest growth this year, as per fresh projections from IDC. The study suggests that PC shipments are likely to hit 274 million units by 2025, marking a 4.1 percent rise from the prior year. IDC categorizes “traditional PCs” to include desktops, notebooks, and workstations, excluding tablets or x86 servers.
This update emerges in a precarious macroeconomic climate, yet IDC credits the optimistic outlook to a mix of short-term incentives and extended upgrade cycles that are currently counterbalancing the instability.
#### Manufacturers Hasten Shipments Ahead of Deadline
A key aspect affecting the revised forecast is the Trump administration’s temporary 90-day tariff exemption on PCs. This exemption has led manufacturers to speed up shipments to the U.S. in expectation of possibly increased costs in the latter part of the year. IDC observes that this urgency stems from uncertainties regarding future tariffs:
> “The 90-day pause and tariff exemption for personal computers, alongside a significant level of uncertainty about what will follow the 90-day pause, is urging PC manufacturers to capitalize on the moment and dispatch larger-than-expected volumes in the US.”
However, IDC cautions that this current shipment pace is not viable in the long run. Should tariffs be reintroduced and inflation persist in undermining consumer confidence, the market could see a decline as soon as Q3. IDC asserts:
> “Nevertheless, the anticipation of deteriorating macroeconomic conditions worldwide and in the US, characterized by rising price pressures and declining consumer sentiment, will affect the PC market in the latter half of 2025. Still, IDC forecasts strong commercial demand for PCs in 2025 as the Windows 11 transition continues steadily.”
#### Windows 11 Continues to Propel Commercial Upgrades
Focusing on long-term trends, IDC emphasizes that enterprise demand is projected to stay robust. The ongoing shift to Windows 11 is encouraging organizations to upgrade outdated hardware, especially in areas where support for Windows 10 is being phased out. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region is expected to see growth extending into Q2 and beyond, with small and medium enterprises joining larger companies in refreshing systems initially deployed during the pandemic.
#### What About the Mac?
Though the report does not specify individual OEMs, it is expected that Apple will soon refresh its Mac range and unveil new macOS AI capabilities at the upcoming WWDC in June. This could bolster the Mac segment as the year advances, provided that new tariffs do not negatively impact the market beforehand.
In conclusion, while the global PC market contends with hurdles from economic uncertainties and possible tariff reimpositions, elements such as the Windows 11 migration and manufacturers’ urgency to ship products are fostering a cautiously optimistic forecast for the upcoming years.
