India’s PC market (excluding tablets) registered a strong 13 per cent year-on-year growth in the January–March quarter of 2025, reaching 3.3 million units, according to a new report by Canalys, now part of Omdia.
The growth was primarily driven by a 21 per cent increase in notebook shipments, which touched 2.4 million units, underscoring their central role in India’s digital transformation. Hybrid workstyles and rising productivity needs among both consumers and enterprises continue to fuel notebook demand.
Conversely, tablet shipments dropped 24 per cent year-on-year to 1.0 million units, reflecting shifting usage patterns and market priorities. Looking ahead, India’s overall PC market is expected to grow 6 per cent in 2025, crossing 15 million units, while tablets are forecast to contract by 8 per cent. Growth is projected to accelerate further in 2026, aided by refresh cycles and mandates for AI-readiness.
“Tier-two and tier-three cities are emerging as the next big growth engines of the Indian PC landscape,” said Ashweej Aithal, Senior Analyst at Canalys. With deeper digital awareness and wider access to education and online services, residents in smaller cities are increasingly turning to PCs for work, learning, and entertainment.
“These users are research-driven and value-conscious, focusing on performance, durability, and after-sales service in addition to price,” Aithal noted.
AI-capable notebooks saw a massive 253 per cent surge in Q1 2025 compared to last year, albeit from a smaller base. Meanwhile, premium notebooks (priced over $1,000) grew by 49 per cent, as both consumers and businesses sought high-performance devices.
Enterprises are increasingly embracing AI-ready devices, while consumers favour multi-purpose premium PCs. Commercial PC shipments rose 11 per cent, led by strong enterprise demand, although government buying remained subdued.
With several structural shifts underway, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for India’s PC and tablet market, with evolving consumer habits and AI integration defining its next phase.
