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Rising inflation causes delay in purchasing new computers by American consumers

Strained household budgets force Americans to prioritize essentials, such as food, over luxury items like electronics, apparent in the declining PC sales figures.

Computer purchases by Americans are being delayed due to the impact of inflation
Computer purchases by Americans are being delayed due to the impact of inflation

Rising inflation causes delay in purchasing new computers by American consumers

In the bustling business landscape of the United States, companies are making a significant shift towards PC upgrades. This trend is largely driven by the approaching Windows 10 end-of-support deadline in October, which is serving as a catalyst for businesses to modernize their technology.

According to data from the commercial sector, PC demand actually grew by 4% in the recent quarter. This growth is a testament to the importance businesses are placing on optimizing their workflows with AI-capable machines.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has provided the data on inflation rates mentioned in this article. However, it seems that consumers are prioritizing essentials such as groceries, gas, and rent over new laptops. As a result, PC market shipments decreased 1.4% year-on-year to 18.6 million units in Q2 2025, according to Canalys.

Greg Davis, an analyst at Canalys, has stated that premium electronics are losing ground to essentials like food and energy. Many American households are waiting until their PCs fail outright before buying new ones, as they have limited room for discretionary spending due to inflation and elevated shelter costs. Food costs are still up about 3% year-on-year, and shelter inflation remains elevated at 4.3%.

Despite the consumer trend, companies are pushing ahead with their PC upgrades. This behaviour is putting pressure on vendors who were hoping for a Windows 11-driven refresh cycle. The growth in commercial demand for PCs is due to a combination of the Windows 10 end-of-support deadline and the demand for AI-capable machines.

Interestingly, companies are dipping their toes further into the world of AI-capable machines. This move towards AI-PCs indicates a broader shift in the way businesses are approaching technology, with a focus on optimizing workflows and staying competitive in the digital age.

It's worth noting that in the second quarter of 2025, companies demonstrated a trend to modernize their PCs despite consumer delays. However, specific company names showing this trend are not clearly identified in the available search results. Canalys, part of Omdia, provided the data on PC market shipments mentioned in this article.

In conclusion, while consumers may be holding back on PC upgrades due to economic pressures, businesses are forging ahead, recognizing the importance of staying up-to-date with technology and leveraging AI capabilities to drive efficiency and productivity.

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