Global PC Shipments Rise 6.5% in Q2 as Vendors Brace for US Tariff Uncertainty

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Global PC shipments grew 6.5% year-over-year in the second quarter, reaching 68.4 million units, according to preliminary data from IDC. The report signals vendors are front-loading shipments to stay ahead of looming US tariff deadlines, even as the American market shows signs of softening.

“Despite a flat US market, the rest of the world demonstrated an appetite for PCs, fueled by an aging installed base and the transition to Windows 11,” said Jean Philippe Bouchard, IDC’s research vice president. He added that US demand may be slowing as companies await clarity on tariff policy.

IDC analysts noted the tension between risk and opportunity for PC makers, with many stocking up early to avoid cost hikes but wary of oversupply in a potentially cooling second half of the year. Ryan Reith, group VP at IDC, said vendors may rely on promotions to clear inventory if tariffs disrupt pricing dynamics.

Top-performing vendors included Apple, which surged 21.4% year-over-year, and Asus, up 16.7%. Lenovo led the market with 17 million units shipped, followed by HP at 14.1 million.