PC shipments increased in first quarter as companies braced for tariffs

Group 1 - The introduction of Intel Core Ultra processors in laptops from Dell, HP, and Lenovo is aimed at enhancing performance with advanced AI capabilities and built-in Intel Arc GPU [1] - Personal computer shipments increased by over 9% according to Canalys, while IDC reported nearly 5% growth, translating to approximately 63 million units shipped [2] - Companies are preparing for the impact of US tariffs, which are expected to affect demand for computers and electronics heavily reliant on Asian manufacturing [2][3] Group 2 - Concerns about a slowing economy and reduced discretionary spending have led consumers to stock up on products affected by tariffs, impacting the PC market [4] - The PC market has experienced stagnation after a surge during the pandemic, with a slight increase of 1% in shipments in 2024 following two years of decline [4] - The latest tariffs include a significant 104% on goods imported from China, which is a major hub for PC manufacturing, while other countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and India are also facing import tariffs [5]