India PC shipments surpass pandemic peak as first-time users upgrade

In a remarkable turnaround, India's personal computer market achieved its highest performance on record in 2025, eclipsing even the peak demand witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge is largely attributed to millions of first-time buyers, who embraced laptops during lockdowns, now seeking to upgrade their aging devices. According to analysts at IDC, shipments of desktops, notebooks, and workstations in India climbed 10.2% year-over-year, reaching an impressive 15.9 million units in 2025. This milestone marks the first instance that annual shipments have surpassed the 15-million-unit mark, exceeding the heights of 2021 and 2022. The pandemic acted as a catalyst, introducing many individuals in India to personal computers, which significantly broadened the user base and sparked a subsequent demand for newer models as older devices began to show their age. Bharath Shenoy, a research manager at IDC, noted that the growing digitization, increased PC adoption among startups and small businesses, and the availability of devices in smaller cities are key factors driving this trend. India's contribution to global PC shipments rose to 5.6% in 2025, up from 3.3% in 2020, showcasing the country's burgeoning presence in the global market. Worldwide, PC shipments also experienced a growth of 8.1%, totaling 284.7 million units in 2025. The South Asian nation stands out as one of the fastest-growing PC markets, with demand now extending beyond major urban centers. In 2025, commercial buyers represented 52.9% of PC shipments in India, while the consumer segment accounted for the remaining 47.1%. The uptick in enterprise purchases was partially fueled by a refresh cycle for Windows systems, with many small and medium-sized businesses, along with public sector organizations, starting to phase out outdated devices. Major players in the Indian PC market included HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, and Asus, although Apple's Mac computers captured a smaller segment compared to their performance in the U.S. In 2025, MacBooks constituted about 5.6% of India's notebook market, significantly lower than the 11% to 12% range globally and around 20% in the U.S. The market share of MacBooks peaked at 7.4% in 2022, reflecting Apple’s limited footprint in enterprise purchases. Interestingly, the premium notebook segment, defined as devices priced above $1,000, saw an 8.2% year-over-year increase in 2025, indicating a continued interest in high-end devices. The introduction of Apple's more affordable MacBook Neo could potentially boost demand for Macs in India, especially as Windows laptops are becoming pricier. As artificial intelligence features gradually integrate into premium laptops, their impact on PC demand in India remains minimal for now. However, the trend may change as enterprises that previously favored high-end models begin to opt for AI-enabled PCs, aligning with budget constraints, and as demand from content creators rises alongside digital media consumption. Despite the impressive growth in 2025, the market may encounter challenges moving forward, including rising prices and component shortages that could dampen demand. Predictions suggest that PC shipments in India might decline by approximately 5% in 2026, contrasting with a more significant drop anticipated globally. Nevertheless, India is expected to fare better than many markets due to its relatively low PC penetration of around 17% to 20%, indicating substantial growth potential as digital adoption continues to flourish across both households and businesses. The market may face headwinds extending into 2027 before stabilizing and returning to a growth trajectory as consumer and business demand stabilizes.