Over the past few years, the PC market has gone through many ups and downs. After the pandemic, when demand for laptops and desktops shot up because of remote work and online learning, sales started to slow down. But now, things are changing in a big way. The global PC market is bouncing back as shipments are rising sharply.
Both businesses and individual consumers are driving this growth. Companies are upgrading old computers and people are looking for better devices for work, study and entertainment. Experts say this recovery could be just the beginning and new innovations might change the way we use PCs forever.
Global PC Shipments Q4 2025: What the Data Shows
According to International Data Corporation (IDC), global PC shipments grew 9.6% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the same time last year. This was one of the strongest quarters since 2021.
The growth was led by brands like Lenovo, HP and Dell, with Apple and Acer following closely. Lenovo stayed on top as the global market leader as it shipped over 19 million units in the quarter.
IDC said this recovery happened because businesses were spending more and the holiday season created strong consumer demand.
Why PC Demand Rose Again
Here are the reasons for the growing demand:
- After a long period, businesses started upgrading their old systems.
- Consumers bought new laptops for hybrid work and online learning.
- Festive season promotions helped boost sales further.
- Rising interest in AI-enabled PCs is expected to drive demand in 2026.
However, IDC warned that a global memory shortage could affect supply and prices in early 2026. This might slow production and put short-term pressure on manufacturers.
What to Expect in 2026
Experts predict that AI-ready PCs will become very popular this year. Top chipmakers like Intel, AMD and Qualcomm are working with PC brands to include AI processing in new models.
IDC expects demand to stay steady through 2026 but notes that the market will depend on how quickly memory shortages are solved. The last quarter of 2025 gave the PC market a much-needed boost. Rising business demand, holiday purchases and AI-driven innovation have set the stage for a potentially strong 2026.
