Apple’s Mac gross sales are rising sharply simply as Trump’s tariffs assure that the the worldwide PC market could have one in all its most unpredictable years ever.
In keeping with preliminary knowledge from Worldwide Information Company (IDC) on April 8, Apple shipped 5.5 million Macs within the first quarter of 2025, up from 4.8 million in the identical interval of 2024. That gave the corporate an 8.7 p.c share of the worldwide PC market, bettering on the 8 p.c it held a yr earlier.
The general market grew simply 4.9 p.c. Apple is outperforming opponents, using the wave of demand for so-called “AI-ready” {hardware}, and leaning on its loyal base within the premium phase.
The highest 5 PC distributors globally in Q1 2025 have been Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, and Asus. Lenovo led with 15.2 million models shipped and 24.1 p.c of the market, adopted by HP at 12.8 million (20.2 p.c) and Dell at 9.6 million (15.1 p.c).
Within the 2024 year-ago quarter, the market was nonetheless clawing its method out of a historic downturn, put up COVID surge. Shipments had plunged 29 p.c in Q1 2023 to simply 56.9 million models, as demand cratered and stock piled up.
By Q1 2024, circumstances had stabilized, with modest 1.5 p.c year-over-year progress fueled by simpler comparisons, easing inflation, and early curiosity in AI-capable PCs. China had remained a weak spot attributable to financial pressures and shifting client preferences.
Apple positive aspects market share as rivals stall
Whereas Apple noticed a pointy year-over-year decline in Mac shipments in early 2023 — down 40 p.c within the first quarter — it rebounded strongly within the second quarter, rising over 10 p.c as rivals continued to slip.
The third quarter in 2024 introduced one other dip, with shipments falling greater than 20 p.c in comparison with the earlier yr. Apple posted stronger year-over-year progress than most top-tier rivals — even whereas remaining fourth in total shipments.
The bump comes as Apple continues to increase its Apple Silicon lineup, with new M3-powered Macs providing efficiency positive aspects and longer battery life. Enterprise curiosity in Macs has additionally grown, significantly in sectors prioritizing cell efficiency, safety and integration with iOS gadgets.
Prime 5 Corporations, Worldwide Conventional PC Shipments, Market Share, and 12 months-Over-12 months Progress, Q1 2025. Picture credit score: IDC
Not like many Home windows PC makers, Apple controls each silicon and working system, delivering constant efficiency and battery positive aspects with every new era. The vertical integration additionally builds in on-device AI capabilities like neural engines, positioning Apple forward of rivals retrofitting AI options into legacy architectures.
The corporate can also be anticipated to lean extra closely into AI {hardware} capabilities later within the yr, presumably aligning with bulletins at WWDC in June. For Apple, “AI-ready” {hardware} entails on-device fashions operating instantly on the neural engine, improved native processing for Siri and accessibility options, and tighter integration with Apple’s ecosystem.
Nonetheless, the highway forward in 2025 is something however sure.
New tariffs elevate costs & shake up the availability chain
The market’s first-quarter energy was partly fueled by a rush to ship gadgets earlier than U.S. tariffs kicked in. On April 2, the Biden administration introduced new import tariffs on Chinese language-made electronics, together with PCs.
Distributors accelerated shipments to keep away from worth hikes within the second quarter and past.
IDC warned that the brand new tariffs are more likely to set off inflation throughout the trade, with prices handed on to shoppers. Apple, with its tightly managed provide chain, could also be higher positioned than some rivals — but it surely’s not immune.
Long run, tariffs might speed up Apple’s gradual diversification away from Chinese language manufacturing. The corporate has already expanded meeting operations in India and Vietnam, and any additional geopolitical stress might quicken these strikes.
Nonetheless, transitioning high-volume manufacturing with out sacrificing high quality or cost-efficiency stays a problem.
Apple’s double-digit progress whereas others tread water hints it is higher geared up to journey out the turbulence. The corporate’s tight integration of {hardware}, software program and companies provides it extra pricing energy and model loyalty, which might cushion any future downturn.
It is unclear if that is sufficient to maintain momentum as tariffs ripple by the market. For now, Apple is gaining floor whereas its rivals brace for affect.
