Photo: Unsplash
Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 recently and the move seems to have been a boon in disguise for Apple. As per Counterpoint Research, many Windows users are shifting to a MacBook instead of upgrading to Windows 11 or buying a new Windows laptop.
According to new figures from the research, nearly 40 percent of all active PCs are still running Windows 10, creating a rush to replace the aging hardware. While this has lifted shipments across the board, Apple has emerged as one of the biggest winners in the third quarter of 2025, recording a 14.9 percent year-on-year jump in Mac sales.
Also read: Apple didn’t redesign the MacBook Pro in 2025 because there was no need to
What’s interesting is that the spike in Mac sales isn’t just about design or brand loyalty but about timing. With Windows 11 requiring specific hardware configurations like TPM 2.0 and modern chipsets, a large number of older PCs can’t be upgraded. For many users, particularly professionals and students, buying a new MacBook might feel like a cleaner break rather than navigating compatibility issues.
Moreover, Apple’s ecosystem has also matured significantly over the past few years, offering a balance of performance, portability, and security that appeals to former Windows users. From the M3-powered MacBook Air to the newly refreshed Pro models, the hardware proposition has never been stronger, especially as discounts and education offers make entry points more attractive.
But does this mean that all Windows 10 users are shifting to MacBooks? Of course not. Lenovo retained the top spot in global PC shipments with a robust 17.4 percent annual growth in Q3 2025, followed by Asus at 14.1 percent and HP at 10.3 percent. Dell was the only major brand to record a slight decline at 0.9 percent. Overall, the global PC market grew by 8.1 percent during the quarter, largely fuelled by the Windows 10 phase-out and a broader refresh cycle across enterprise and education segments.
One of the biggest buzzwords this year has been AI PCs. But as per Counterpoint, the rise in shipments hasn’t been driven by the AI PCs just yet. While brands have begun integrating dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) into their systems, Counterpoint says that AI-readiness is only beginning to influence enterprise procurement strategies.
For now, most buyers are prioritising reliability and long-term performance over AI features that are still in early adoption stages. That could be another reason why MacBooks, with their stable macOS environment and tight hardware-software integration, are finding favour among both consumers and businesses.
Also read: Microsoft Teams will soon tell your boss if you are in office or not