NEEDHAM, MA – IDC has raised its global PC forecast, projecting shipments will grow 4.1% year-over-year to reach 274 million units. The upgraded outlook follows a strong first quarter performance and comes despite looming uncertainty around US tariffs on imported personal computing devices.

The new forecast is a step up from IDC’s earlier projection of 2.6% growth, reflecting increased confidence in near-term demand.

IDC attributes the increase in shipments to manufacturers taking advantage of a temporary 90-day pause and exemption on PC tariffs, prompting accelerated volumes into the US market. While the future of trade policy remains unclear, companies are seizing the opportunity to frontload supply.

"Tariff flexibility, even if temporary, is prompting manufacturers to act quickly," said Jean Philippe Bouchard, research VP, IDC. “But pressure from deteriorating global economic conditions and rising prices is expected to weigh on demand in the second half of 2025.”

The forecast revision also reflects sustained commercial momentum driven by the global migration to Windows 11. In regions like EMEA, IDC expects growth to continue beyond the second quarter, supported by end-of-support cycles for Windows 10.

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