Q1 PC Shipments Show Largest Increase in 4 Years... "Stockpiling Before Tariffs"

This year’s first quarter saw the largest increase in total PC shipments, including laptops and desktops, in four years.

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According to market research firm Canalys on the 9th (local time), global PC shipments in the first quarter of this year reached 62.7 million units, a sharp increase of 9.4% compared to the same period last year. Specifically, laptop shipments rose by 10% to 49.4 million units, while desktop shipments increased by 8% to 13.3 million units.

This is the largest growth since the first quarter of 2021, when demand for electronic devices for work and leisure at home surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The significant increase in PC shipments is analyzed to be due to the tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump targeting major trading partners. Major PC manufacturers appear to have rushed product deliveries in anticipation of price increases before tariffs were imposed.

The surge in shipments was particularly notable in the United States, where tariffs are applied to imported products.

Canalys analyzed, "The market shows some preemptive responses in the first quarter as both vendors and end users prepare for the impact of U.S. tariffs."

However, after the large increase in PC shipments in the first quarter, if prices rise due to tariffs, shipments are expected to be affected from the second quarter onward. The report stated, "As tariff increases are expected to be implemented in more countries, the global PC market recovery is under threat," and added, "As inventory levels normalize and customers face higher prices, growth is likely to slow down for the remainder of this year."

On the same day, President Trump announced a 90-day delay on imposing high reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners, excluding China.

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