PC shipments are up in Q2 2025, but global growth faces crosscurrents from the U.S.
Even as the U.S. market slows, global growth is keeping the numbers healthy.
Earlier this year, PC vendors rushed to get ahead of what looked like trouble. With import tariffs on the horizon, shipments to the U.S. surged, inventory filled up, and the market posted strong early signs of growth. But that head start came with a catch: now, in the second quarter, U.S. PC sales have flattened slightly, dampening the global momentum.
However, despite the flatlining in the US, the global performance remains positive. PC shipments rose 6.5% year-over-year in Q2 2025, reaching 68.4 million units according to data from IDC. Demand across Europe, Asia, and other key regions continues to see traction. This was driven by an ageing installed base, combined with the continued rollout of Windows 11.
This international appetite for PCs is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Without it, global numbers would look very different. The U.S. current stagnation is being felt across supply chains and in vendor strategies. After a spike in Q1 shipments, timed to beat potential tariffs, sales in the U.S. have slowed significantly. Not a collapse, but a pause that adds friction to the broader recovery.
Still, the global market is holding firm. Lenovo grew shipments by more than 15% and maintained its position at the top of the market. Apple saw the biggest jump, up over 21% year-over-year, thanks in part to strong MacBook demand. HP posted modest gains, while Dell slipped into negative territory, down 3%. Overall, the performance was respectable, but it’s uneven.
As the second half of the year approaches, the challenge will be sustaining that momentum. The global market is proving it can grow even with headwinds, but the situation in the U.S.—great in Q1, flat in Q2—remains the wild card. If demand there continues to slow or tariffs shift pricing strategies too sharply, it could begin to drag on the broader performance.
That uncertainty is keeping the entire industry on edge. Ryan Reith, IDC’s group vice president for Worldwide Device Trackers, says the current growth feels counterintuitive, but not without explanation. Supply chain players, still cautious from past shocks, are moving to capture demand while they can, but walking a tightrope. Overextending means running the risk of bloated inventories. Holding back could mean missing the moment. If tariffs go into effect as expected, prices are likely to rise, but not uniformly.
For now, global sales are carrying the industry forward. But navigating the next few quarters will require adaptability and a close watch on the market that still sets the pace for much of the world.
