PC shipments just grew unexpectedly amid RAM shortages
TL;DR
PC shipments grew nearly 10% in Q4 2025 despite RAM shortages, driven by Windows 10 end-of-support and inventory pull-forwards to combat tariffs.
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The PC market is bracing for a turbulent year ahead, but shipments managed to exceed expectations in the recent holiday quarter. IDC reports that shipments grew nearly 10 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, reaching 76.4 million in total.
Microsoft's end of Windows 10 support undoubtedly helped push PC shipments up, but IDC notes that PC makers have also been aggressively pulling forward inventory to combat potential tariffs and the global memory shortage.
"While the holiday season typically drives stronger demand, the surge in late 2025 was further amplified by emerging memory shortages that led buyers and brands to secu …