Lenovo Tops Global PC Market as Shipments Jump in Q4 2025
Lenovo emerged as the world’s largest PC vendor in the fourth quarter of 2025 as global PC shipments rose 9.6% year over year to 76.4 million units, according to a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC).
The rebound marks one of the strongest quarterly performances for the PC market in recent years, driven by a mix of seasonal demand, operating system transitions, and growing concerns around future component shortages.
Windows 10 End-of-Support Fuels Demand
IDC attributed part of the shipment surge to Microsoft’s planned end of support for Windows 10, which has encouraged businesses and consumers to refresh ageing systems.
However, the research firm noted that demand-side factors were not the only drivers. PC manufacturers also ramped up inventory levels in anticipation of potential tariffs and a looming global memory shortage expected to worsen in 2026.
The holiday shopping season further amplified shipments, while both buyers and vendors moved early to secure stock amid uncertainty in the memory supply chain.
Lenovo Leads Q4 2025 and Full-Year Rankings
Lenovo dominated the quarter with 19.3 million units shipped, representing a 14.4% year-over-year increase from 16.9 million units in Q4 2024.
Other top PC vendors in Q4 2025 include:
- HP Inc: 15.4 million units, up 12.1% YoY
- Dell Technologies: 11.7 million units
- Apple: 7.1 million units, up 0.2% YoY
- ASUS: 5.4 million units, up 10.9% YoY
IDC noted that Lenovo also maintained its leadership position across full-year 2025 PC shipments, reinforcing its dominance in both consumer and commercial segments.
Memory Shortages Could Reshape the PC Market
IDC warned that rising RAM and NAND/SSD prices, driven largely by AI data centre demand, could significantly alter PC configurations and pricing in 2026.
“Beyond the obvious pressure on prices of systems, already announced by certain manufacturers, we might also see PC memory specifications be lowered on average to preserve memory inventory on hand,” said Jean Philippe Bouchard.
To offset higher component costs, PC manufacturers are increasingly prioritising mid-range and premium systems, a shift that IDC believes will push average selling prices higher next year.
Buyers Urged to Act Early
IDC suggested that consumers considering a new PC purchase may benefit from acting sooner rather than later. “The PC market will be far different in 12 months, given how quickly the memory situation is evolving,” the firm noted, adding that early 2026 could see tighter supply and higher prices.
Major PC makers such as Lenovo and HP have been building up memory stockpiles, but IDC cautioned that these reserves could be depleted within months.
Long-Term Industry Impact
IDC expects overall PC shipment volumes to remain relatively stable, but forecasts a higher total market value as vendors and suppliers adjust pricing strategies to protect margins.
“Memory shortages are affecting the entire industry, and the impact will likely reshape market dynamics over the next two years,” said Jitesh Ubrani.
He added that prolonged shortages could put smaller PC brands at risk, while consumers, especially DIY builders, may delay purchases or divert spending to other devices or experiences.
Outlook for 2026
While Q4 2025 delivered a strong rebound for the PC industry, IDC’s analysis suggests the coming year will be defined less by volume growth and more by pricing power, component availability, and vendor resilience.
As memory constraints tighten and operating system transitions continue, companies like Lenovo appear well-positioned to capitalise—while the broader market prepares for another period of structural change.
