According to IDC's latest preliminary data released this week, worldwide PC shipments in the fourth quarter increased by 9.6 percent compared to the previous year, totaling 76.4 million units. However, this uptick largely reflects units assembled and distributed ahead of escalating memory supply constraints and potential tariff hikes.

In the corresponding period last year, the PC sector also saw upward momentum, driven by manufacturers accelerating deliveries to stores in anticipation of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, alongside the continued influence of the Windows 10 migration wave.

"We anticipate significant changes in the PC landscape within the next year as memory supply conditions shift rapidly," stated Jean Philippe Bouchard, IDC's research vice president for Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "In addition to price hikes already signaled by some vendors, average memory configurations in PCs could decrease to manage existing stockpiles. The coming year promises considerable instability."

Unlike broader impacts, tariffs primarily affected the U.S. market, limiting its expansion. For instance, IDC reported U.S. PC growth at just 4 percent for 2025, in contrast to 14 percent across Europe and the Middle East.

"The ongoing memory scarcity is impacting the whole sector and could alter competitive patterns for the next couple of years," noted Jitesh Ubrani, IDC research manager for Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "Major electronics companies are primed to use their size and secured memory supplies to gain market share from lesser-known or local competitors. That said, the shortage's intensity might threaten the viability of smaller players, prompting buyers—especially those building custom systems—to postpone acquisitions or redirect funds toward alternative gadgets or activities."

Previously, IDC forecasted higher average PC prices for 2026. The analyst firm now suggests that producers will emphasize higher-end and mid-tier models more aggressively to counteract rising memory expenses.

In preliminary 2025 shipment rankings, IDC identified Lenovo as the leader, with 70.8 million units moved—a 14.5 percent gain from the prior year—securing 24.9 percent market share. HP placed second at 20.2 percent, followed by Dell at 14.4 percent.