India’s PC Market Hits Record High as First-Time Users Upgrade
In 2025, India’s personal computer (PC) market experienced unprecedented growth, surpassing previous records set during the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge was primarily driven by first-time buyers upgrading their devices acquired during lockdowns.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), shipments of desktops, notebooks, and workstations in India increased by 10.2% year-over-year, reaching 15.9 million units. This milestone marks the first time annual shipments have exceeded 15 million units, eclipsing the peaks observed in 2021 and 2022.
The pandemic-induced lockdowns introduced many Indians to PCs for the first time, expanding the user base and creating a demand for upgrades as these initial devices aged. Bharath Shenoy, a research manager at IDC, highlighted that growing digitization, increased PC adoption among startups and small businesses, and the wider availability of devices in smaller cities have further fueled this demand.
India’s share of global PC shipments rose to 5.6% in 2025, up from 3.3% in 2020, as per IDC data. Globally, PC shipments grew by 8.1% to 284.7 million units in 2025. India remains one of the fastest-growing PC markets, with demand expanding beyond major metropolitan areas.
In 2025, commercial buyers accounted for 52.9% of PC shipments in India, while the consumer segment made up the remaining 47.1%. Enterprise purchases were partly driven by a Windows refresh cycle, with many small and medium-sized businesses and public sector organizations beginning to replace older devices.
Leading PC vendors in India included HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, and Asus. Apple’s Mac computers held a smaller share of the market, with MacBooks accounting for about 5.6% of India’s notebook market in 2025, compared to approximately 11% to 12% globally and around 20% in the U.S. MacBooks’ share in India peaked at 7.4% in 2022, up from 3.9% in 2020.
Approximately 85% to 87% of Mac shipments in India were from the consumer segment, reflecting Apple’s limited presence in enterprise purchases. The premium notebook segment, comprising devices priced above $1,000, grew by 8.2% year-over-year in 2025, indicating steady demand for higher-end devices.
The introduction of Apple’s lower-priced MacBook Neo and the rising costs of Windows notebooks could potentially boost demand for Macs in India. Apple is also focusing on expanding its presence in the commercial segment, which may help it gain market share.
Artificial intelligence features are beginning to appear in premium laptops, though they are not yet a major driver of PC demand in India. Many enterprises that previously purchased premium notebooks are now opting for AI-enabled PCs within the same budget range, while demand from content creators could also support adoption as digital media consumption rises.
Despite the strong performance in 2025, the market could face challenges in the near term due to rising prices and component shortages. PC shipments in India could decline by about 5% in 2026, compared to a low double-digit drop expected globally.
India is still expected to perform better than many other markets because of its relatively low PC penetration and the scale of demand. PC penetration in the country is estimated at around 17% to 20%, leaving significant room for growth as digital adoption spreads across households and businesses.
The market could remain under pressure into 2027 before returning to growth as demand from businesses and consumers stabilizes.
