Asustek's PC shipments reportedly increased by 8.6%, reaching a total of 4.49 million units.
In the second quarter of 2021, the global PC market experienced a significant surge in shipments, marking a positive trend that has continued in subsequent years. This growth was primarily driven by two key factors: the end of support for Windows 10 and the post-COVID-19 refresh cycles.
With Microsoft officially ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, many enterprises and consumers accelerated PC purchases to upgrade to Windows 11-compatible devices. This demand for upgrades contributed to a surge in PC refreshes.
The pandemic also played a significant role in the PC market's recovery. Many users delayed hardware upgrades due to supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty in 2020-2021. However, as conditions improved and remote work and study normalized, there was a wave of delayed refresh purchases, leading to a surge in the refreshes of aging PCs that had been held over during the height of the pandemic.
This trend is reflected in the latest data from Q2 2025, where global PC shipments had grown by 6.5% year-over-year to 68.4 million units. The enterprise sector, particularly in the U.S., showed strong demand related to Windows 11 desktop refreshes and AI-capable laptops, although consumer refresh cycles slowed somewhat.
Notable companies like Asustek Computer Inc saw a significant increase in PC shipments, with a year-on-year growth of 8.6 percent to 4.49 million units in the second quarter. This growth was attributed to front-loaded inventory in the US in the first half and replacement demand stemming from the Windows 11 upgrade cycle.
However, not all companies experienced growth. Dell Technologies Inc, for instance, saw a decline in shipments, down 3 percent year-on-year to 9.83 million units in the second quarter.
The growth in global PC shipments was not limited to one region. Shipments to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa rose 5.3 percent, while shipments to North America dipped 0.5 percent year-on-year. The Asia-Pacific market remained flat.
IDC reported a slowdown in US PC demand in the second quarter due to tariff-related uncertainty. To avoid potential high US tariffs, some vendors, such as Acer, did not front-load inventory for the US market.
In summary, the end of support for Windows 10 acted as a catalyst, prompting enterprises and some consumers to upgrade their PCs, while the post-COVID-19 market rebound led to a wave of delayed refresh purchases. These factors collectively drove global PC shipment growth in Q2 2021 and influenced ongoing positive market momentum thereafter. Full-year shipments are expected to grow 2.4 percent this year. However, vendors have front-loaded inventory to meet demand, potentially leading to excess stock by the end of this year, and global PC shipments in the second half are likely to remain flat.
With the increasing demand for Windows 11-compatible devices due to the ending support for Windows 10 in 2025, there was a surge in PC refresh purchases, leading to an increase in gadgets like smartphones and technology, as many consumers upgraded their gadgets alongside their PCs to maintain compatibility.
In the second half of 2025, global PC shipments are expected to remain flat, potentially resulting in excess stock. This inventory could lead to discounts on various gadgets, including smartphones and technology, making them more accessible for consumers.
