7 Aug 2025, Thu

Introduction

India’s PC market continues to show remarkable resilience and expansion. According to the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker (Q1 2025), the country recorded a healthy 8.1% year-over-year (YoY) growth in overall PC shipments during the January to March 2025 period. At the forefront of this upward trend is HP, which claimed a commanding 29.1% market share, solidifying its position as the leading PC brand in India.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of IDC’s Q1 2025 data, focusing on brand-wise performance, market drivers, emerging trends — including AI-powered notebooks — and what these insights mean for buyers and the industry at large.


Overview of India’s PC Market – Q1 2025

Key Highlights:

  • Total Shipments: ~3.3 million units

  • YoY Growth: 8.1%

  • Top Brand: HP with 29.1% market share

  • Market Drivers: Hybrid work, AI integration, online sales

India’s PC industry has now entered its seventh consecutive quarter of growth, reflecting strong consumer demand, increased digital adoption among businesses, and robust product innovation by leading brands.


Shipment Volume by Product Segment

IDC’s data divides the Indian PC market into three key product categories — notebooks, desktops, and workstations. Here’s how each performed in Q1 2025:

SegmentYoY GrowthKey Insights
Notebooks↑ 13.8%High demand across both consumer and enterprise verticals
Desktops↓ 2.4%Gradual decline as users shift to portable computing
Workstations↑ 30.4%Strong growth due to AI and design-intensive applications
Premium Laptops↑ 8%Professionals increasingly opting for advanced notebooks
AI Laptops↑ 185.1%Major acceleration driven by AI-first productivity tools

Brand-Wise Market Share: Top 5 PC Vendors in Q1 2025

1. HP (29.1%) – Market Leader

HP leads the Indian PC market by a wide margin. It continues to perform exceptionally in both consumer and commercial categories, thanks to its:

  • Broad product lineup, including entry-level, gaming, and AI-integrated devices

  • Strong e-commerce presence and offline channel strategies

  • Competitive pricing during seasonal sales

HP’s AI-powered notebooks and enterprise workstations have been particularly successful in meeting evolving demands from educational institutions, hybrid workplaces, and creative professionals.


2. Lenovo (18.9%) – Accelerating Ahead

Lenovo achieved robust growth in both segments:

  • Consumer Growth: 36.4% YoY

  • Commercial Growth: 33.8% YoY

Models like the IdeaPad and Yoga series gained popularity among young professionals and students. Lenovo’s strategic investments in B2B channels and service outreach have also contributed to its expanding footprint.


3. Dell (15.6%) – Focused on Enterprise Stability

Dell remained in third place, backed by a 22% share in the commercial segment. Its performance is fueled by:

  • Trusted reputation in government, IT, and SME sectors

  • Emphasis on devices built for durability and business applications

  • Strategic alignment with hybrid work trends


4. Acer (15.4%) – Strong Consumer Push

Acer experienced a 95.5% YoY surge in consumer PC shipments, thanks to:

  • Attractive pricing

  • Strong availability across retail and online platforms

  • Broad device portfolio including Chromebooks, gaming laptops, and ultra-slim models

However, a 21.1% decline in its commercial division slightly impacted its overall market trajectory.


5. Asus (6%) – Targeting Gaming and Innovation

Asus continues its focus on gaming notebooks and AI-integrated systems. Key highlights:

  • Commercial Shipment Growth: 41.1% YoY

  • Expansion into small business and startup segments

  • Emphasis on high-performance graphics and unique thermal designs


Segment-Wise Analysis

Consumer Market

  • YoY Growth: 8.9%

  • Key Factors: Republic Day deals, education season demand, wider online product variety

  • Popular Devices: Thin-and-light notebooks, gaming laptops, AI-enabled systems

Commercial Market

  • YoY Growth: 7.5%

  • Drivers: Refresh cycles in government and enterprise IT infrastructure

  • Challenges: Select industries (IT/ITES) cautious in capital spending

  • Trends: Shift toward premium notebooks with AI, security enhancements


Online Channels Outperform Offline Sales

E-Tail Channel Performance

  • YoY Growth: 21.9%

  • Preferred Platforms: Amazon, Flipkart, Brand Online Stores

  • Boosters:

    • Easy EMIs

    • Same/next-day delivery

    • Bundled offers and exchange programs

The growing preference for direct-to-consumer online models has significantly reshaped the way PCs are bought in India, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.


Decline of Traditional Desktops

  • Desktops Down: 2.4% (consumer), 2.5% (commercial)

  • Key Reasons:

    • Mobility and flexibility offered by notebooks

    • Shift to cloud platforms and remote working environments

    • Lack of significant innovation in desktop design

Despite this, desktops remain important in industrial and education setups that require shared computing environments.


AI-Powered Notebooks: The Breakout Trend

One of the standout statistics from the Q1 2025 IDC report is the 185.1% YoY increase in AI-powered notebook shipments.

Key Capabilities:

  • Real-time transcription and summarization

  • Advanced battery optimization

  • Smart webcam adjustments for lighting, framing, and background

  • Noise suppression and smart audio tuning

AI in the Enterprise:

  • Integrated tools like Windows Copilot, Microsoft Loop, and Google Duet AI

  • AI-enabled security monitoring and threat detection

  • Personalized workflow automation

AI is not a gimmick; it’s becoming a core decision factor for enterprises and learners alike.


Expert Opinions

Navkendar Singh, Associate VP at IDC India, noted:

“Gaming notebooks and AI-first PCs are reshaping buyer preferences. The speed of AI adoption in India’s PC market has exceeded expectations. We anticipate further acceleration in AI-led device innovation.”


Implications for Buyers and Businesses

For Buyers:

  • More choices in mid-range and premium AI-powered models

  • Expect shorter device life cycles as software evolves quickly

  • Enhanced features like AI assistance, privacy protection, and improved battery performance

For Brands:

  • Increased pressure to innovate, not just compete on price

  • Faster product refresh timelines (6–12 months)

  • Emphasis on ecosystem support, software integrations, and cloud readiness


Growth Forecast for the Indian PC Market

According to IDC’s forward-looking estimates:

  • Total 2025 PC shipments could exceed 14 million units

  • AI-powered devices expected to constitute 35%–40% of all sales

  • Gaming, education, and creative tools will drive demand for premium notebooks

  • Commercial demand will increase in financial services, healthcare, and design industries

The notebook segment will continue to dominate, while workstations and AI-enhanced devices will form new product categories.


Brand Strategies Going Forward

HP:

  • Likely to expand its AI-first PC lineup

  • Focus on remote collaboration tools and security

  • Increase outreach to the education and creative sectors

Lenovo:

  • Bolstering supply chain to support rapid B2B expansion

  • Targeting hybrid professionals and home users

Dell:

  • Doubling down on government and institutional partnerships

  • Emphasis on sustainability and product lifecycle solutions

Acer:

  • Increasing its value portfolio in Tier 2/3 cities

  • New product lines focused on gaming and education

Asus:

  • Growing presence in commercial AI and gaming markets

  • Strong push on innovation and thermal efficiency


Final Thoughts: HP’s Continued Market Leadership

The IDC Q1 2025 report cements HP’s leading role in India’s PC market, supported by consistent innovation, product diversity, and early adoption of AI-driven features. While the market is highly competitive, HP’s positioning in both consumer and commercial sectors gives it a strategic advantage.

As India continues to digitize across sectors and communities, the PC industry will evolve beyond hardware — driven by AI, sustainability, and a focus on user-centric ecosystems. HP’s momentum places it in a strong position to lead that transformation.

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