Windows 10 End of Support Sparks Global PC Refresh and Mac Uptick in 2025

Microsoft’s decision to pull the security plug on Windows 10 has done more than force millions to choose how — and when — to upgrade; it has also reshuffled the PC market, creating a calendar‑driven replacement wave that is materially boosting shipments across the industry and, surprisingly to some, lifting Apple’s Mac sales as a sizable number of Windows 10 holdouts opt for MacBooks instead of in‑place Windows 11 upgrades.

Background / Overview​

The technical milestone that triggered this cycle is unambiguous: Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After that date Windows 10 continued to run on existing machines, but free security updates and mainstream support stopped for general consumers and most enterprise editions; Microsoft offered a time‑boxed Extended Security Updates (ESU) bridge program for organizations and a limited consumer ESU option as a short‑term safety valve.
That lifecycle cutoff created a firm, date‑certain procurement imperative for many organisations, schools and security‑sensitive consumers. Inventory managers and corporate procurement teams that might otherwise have deferred replacements suddenly faced compliance, audit and risk timelines — and those timelines produced one of the most pronounced refresh windows the PC market has seen in years. Analyst firms and industry trackers recorded positive shipment growth in Q3 2025 that industry participants attribute largely to that forced refresh.
At the same time the market’s narrative is shifting toward a second theme: buyer interest in “AI‑ready” devices. Vendors are increasingly advertising on‑device neural accelerators, NPUs and Copilot+/AI‑centric features as part of the upgrade pitch. For many buyers the AI angle is future‑proofing rather than an immediate must‑have, but procurement decision‑makers are starting to include AI‑capability as a checkbox when specifying replacement hardware.

---

The numbers: who gained, who didn’t​

Mac gain — real and measurable​

Counterpoint Research’s Q3 2025 snapshot and multiple industry reports show a clear directional outcome: global PC shipments turned positive year‑over‑year, and Apple’s Mac lineup was among the notable beneficiaries. Counterpoint estimated global PC shipments rose roughly 8.1% YoY in Q3 2025 while Mac shipments jumped about 14.9% YoY — a substantial out‑performance relative to the overall market. Industry coverage from consumer and trade press repeated these figures and linked the uplift to both the Windows 10 sunset and Apple’s refreshed MacBook lineup.
That scale of Mac growth is meaningful for Apple’s notebook business because it signals not just stronger consumer interest but rising enterprise consideration for macOS endpoints — a trend several vendors and analysts say is being driven by easier Microsoft 365 compatibility on macOS, better residual values for used Macs, and Apple’s continuing emphasis on on‑device capabilities and efficiency.

Market leaders and the rest​

Across trackers the winners in the refresh wave were consistent even though absolute unit counts differ by methodology:

• Lenovo retained the top vendor position and recorded the largest vendor growth (in many reports roughly mid‑teens YoY).
• Asus and HP posted strong double‑digit growth in multiple snapshots.
• Dell, the notable outlier, recorded either modest growth or a slight decline in different datasets — a result companies attributed to timing of tendered deals and front‑loaded shipments in earlier quarters.

Taken together, the top five vendors accounted for roughly three‑quarters of shipments in the quarter — an indicator of ongoing market consolidation where incumbents with strong commercial channels captured the bulk of refresh orders.

---

Why some Windows 10 users chose MacBooks over Windows 11 PCs​

Switching a platform isn’t a purely emotional choice; it’s an operational decision driven by four practical factors that were especially salient during this refresh window.

1. Upgrade eligibility and hardware bottlenecks​

A substantial share of Windows 10 devices are physically ineligible to upgrade to Windows 11 because of firm hardware prerequisites (TPM 2.0, secure boot, CPU model support). That left owners of older ultrabooks and corporate fleets with three options: buy new Windows 11 hardware, pay for ESU as a short bridge, or choose an alternative platform. For users whose workloads are predominantly web‑centric and Microsoft 365‑centric, a Mac became a practical, lower‑friction replacement.

2. Perceived lower administrative lift​

For small businesses and solo operators with limited IT staff, macOS delivers a predictable update cadence, built‑in protections like FileVault and Secure Enclave, and the perception of fewer day‑to‑day maintenance headaches. Apple’s messaging around privacy‑first, on‑device AI features and ecosystem continuity with iPhone/iPad also made MacBooks more attractive to iPhone‑centric buyers. These narrative advantages were amplified in-store and in Apple’s retail and SMB outreach during the EoL window.

3. Trade‑in economics and promotional pricing​

Refurbished, trade‑in and promotional offers reduced the effective cost of Mac upgrades during the window. Coupled with high residual values for many Mac models, the total lifecycle cost model for single‑user and some SMB buyers sometimes favored Apple, especially where the alternative was buying a premium Windows 11 device at near‑comparable prices. Multiple independent retail trackers and outlets highlighted Mac discounts around the Q3/Q4 retail cycle that improved the business case for switching.

4. AI and future‑proofing messaging​

Apple’s M‑series migration story — emphasizing efficiency, battery life and a growing set of on‑device intelligence features — dovetailed with the industry’s nascent “AI PC” positioning. Buyers facing a mandatory refresh showed growing interest in devices that advertise local AI acceleration (NPUs, neural engines), and macOS’s Apple Intelligence messaging became another differentiator in the purchase conversation. That said, vendors and analysts stress that AI readiness is currently more of a procurement checkmark than an immediate conversion driver.

---

The real tradeoffs: what businesses and power users should watch​

Switching to macOS is practical for many buyers, but it has material, verifiable costs and limitations that must be modelled.

Compatibility — the single largest blocker​

Legacy and line‑of‑business (LOB) Windows applications remain the most decisive reason many organizations cannot migrate to Mac. Specialized drivers, PCIe device passthrough, proprietary client software, and some industry tools are still Windows‑only. Virtualization (Parallels, VMware) and cloud Windows instances provide viable options for many scenarios but introduce licensing, performance and integration complexities. Test every mission‑critical application before initiating a fleet‑wide migration.

Licensing and virtual Windows on Apple silicon​

Running Windows under virtualization on Apple silicon brings nuanced licensing and operational considerations. Microsoft’s licensing terms for Windows 11 ARM and authorized virtualization scenarios need to be reviewed carefully; not all configurations (especially those involving certain enterprise activation or driver models) are equivalent to native Windows on x86 hardware. Budget for virtualization client licences and potential EDR/MDM tools for macOS endpoints.

Platform lock‑in and ecosystem tradeoffs​

Moving to macOS changes control models — Apple’s curated ecosystem makes many day‑to‑day tasks simpler but trades away some of the hardware and software openness that power users and enterprise IT teams rely on. For organizations that value component swap‑and‑repair, custom imaging, or deep BIOS/firmware control, the change is strategic, not merely tactical.

Unverifiable or variable vendor claims​

Vendor numbers about NPUs, TOPS, or synthetic benchmark wins are useful directional signals but vary by SKU and test methodology. Battery life reports also vary among real users and labs. Procurement teams should verify performance claims with workload‑specific tests rather than relying on headline figures. Flag any single, unsupported performance number as provisional until validated.

---

Practical migration playbook — measured steps for consumers, SMBs and IT teams​

When the deadline forces action, measured, repeatable processes beat reactionary buys. The following playbook is practical and field‑tested during the Windows 10 refresh.

Quick action checklist (30‑day sprint)​

• Inventory: List every installed app, plugin, and hardware peripheral; mark Windows‑only items.
• Eligibility check: Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check on all devices to identify Windows 11‑capable machines and prioritize them for in‑place upgrades.
• Backup: Create full disk images and export user profiles, browser data and credentials.
• Pilot: Acquire one Mac (Mac mini or MacBook) and run a 2–4 week pilot using native apps plus a Windows VM for holdouts.
• Validate virtualization: Test Parallels/VMware performance for required Windows apps; verify GPU/USB passthrough if needed.
• Cost model: Include device purchase price, trade‑in value, additional license costs (virtualization, EDR, MDM), and projected training/support costs.
• Rollout phasing: Start with teams that have the fewest Windows dependencies and expand once compatibility is proven.

For enterprises: TCO and security checklist​

• Treat ESU as a planning window, not a long‑term solution. The consumer ESU buys roughly one year of security patches and may have enrollment constraints; enterprise ESU contracts are available but not indefinite. Model timelines conservatively.
• Update endpoint management policies to cover macOS: ensure MDM coverage, EDR support and backup strategies (Time Machine or enterprise backup agents).
• Pilot hardware and OS combos across representative user groups (creative teams, knowledge workers, engineers) and measure helpdesk tickets and productivity change. Use pilot results to adjust support staffing and training plans.

---

How vendors are positioning hardware for the next cycle​

Two overlapping marketing arcs shaped vendor messaging in Q3 2025:

• Immediate compliance upgrades: Windows OEMs and channel partners pushed Windows 11‑capable SKUs into commercial tenders and public procurement to capture mandatory refresh orders. Vendors that had stock and strong commercial channels — Lenovo, HP, ASUS — performed well.
• AI readiness and NPUs: OEMs began promoting Copilot+/AI devices with on‑board NPUs and neural accelerators. For buyers that want to hedge future AI workflows, these devices are becoming procurement line items even if the immediate use cases are sparse. Analysts expect the AI PC segment to expand materially through 2026 as workflows mature.

Apple’s play has been different: instead of chasing Copilot branding, Apple positioned its M‑series improvements around efficiency, integrated ML capabilities and longer support windows — a message that resonated with buyers prioritizing battery life, security posture and the Apple ecosystem. Those advantages — plus clever retail incentives and trade‑in programs — helped the Mac line capture incremental share during the refresh.

---

Risks to watch over the next 12–24 months​

• Fragmented upgrade timelines: Different organisations will stretch ESU windows differently, creating a multi‑year tail of mixed OS estates that complicates security posture and vendor support strategies.
• E‑waste and replacement economics: Forced hardware churn increases environmental impact and procurement costs. Resale/trade models help, but public sector buyers will need policies to manage disposal and sustainability.
• AI hype vs. deliverable productivity: Heavy marketing of NPUs and local AI capabilities may outpace real productivity gains in the short term. Buyers should insist on workload‑specific metrics before paying a premium for AI features.
• Vendor claims variance: Benchmarks, TOPS and battery estimates differ markedly across tests — procurement teams must require independent validation for mission‑critical purchases.

---

Bottom line: practical advice for readers weighing a switch​

• If your workflows are primarily browser‑based or built on Microsoft 365 and you own an iPhone: a MacBook (or Mac mini for desktop reuse) can be a low‑friction, defensible alternative to buying Windows 11 hardware. The migration will simplify baseline security and often improve battery life and longevity.
• If you rely on Windows‑only enterprise LOB software, specialized drivers, high‑end gaming, or heavy GPU passthrough: keep a Windows endpoint for those workloads and consider a hybrid model. Virtualization and cloud Windows options can reduce the friction but are not a universal substitute.
• Never use ESU as a permanent strategy: treat it as a one‑year planning window for consumers (and a short contract option for many enterprises), not a migration endpoint. Schedule replacements or migrations with the ESU window as the outside boundary, not the plan.
• Pilot first, buy at scale only after validation: a single validated pilot across representative users dramatically reduces migration risk and unexpected costs. Use pilots to test virtualization, peripheral compatibility, and support workflows before committing fleet‑wide.

---

Conclusion​

The end of Windows 10 transformed a calendar date into a market catalyst. The Q3 2025 refresh wave drove notable shipment gains across the PC industry, and Apple’s MacBooks captured a measurable slice of that demand as some Windows 10 users and small organisations opted for macOS instead of upgrading in‑place to Windows 11. The commercial logic behind those moves is straightforward — eligibility constraints, lower administrative overhead for small teams, trade‑in economics, and an emergent interest in AI readiness all converged to reshape buying decisions in a tight timeframe.
That said, the decision to switch platforms is operational, not tribal. For many organisations the right path will be hybrid: preserve Windows for workloads that need it, pilot macOS for mainstream productivity users, and use ESU as a controlled bridge rather than a destination. The true winners in this cycle will be organisations that treat the deadline as a disciplined planning opportunity — inventorying apps, validating virtualization, testing pilots, and modelling TCO conservatively — rather than a spur‑of‑the‑moment procurement scramble.
The refresh wave has reset expectations about device lifecycles and made “AI‑readiness” an explicit procurement variable. Vendors and buyers alike will spend the next year proving which device choices actually deliver durable productivity gains versus those that are primarily good marketing. The prudent buyer will require proof — not promises — before paying a premium for the next generation of what the industry calls the “AI PC.”

---

Source: Moneycontrol https://www.moneycontrol.com/techno...k-instead-of-windows-11-article-13635450.html

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft’s formal end of mainstream support for Windows 10 and a concentrated Q3 refresh cycle have done more than move numbers on a ledger — they have reshaped buyer behavior across the PC market, producing a measurable uplift in shipments and a clear short‑term win for Apple’s Mac lineup as a significant number of Windows 10 holdouts elected to buy MacBooks rather than pursue on‑device upgrades to Windows 11.

Background / Overview​

Microsoft’s lifecycle milestone is concrete: Windows 10 reached end of mainstream support on October 14, 2025. After that date Microsoft ceased routine security and feature updates for consumer Windows 10 editions and focused its upgrade messaging and tools on Windows 11 or on the short‑term Extended Security Updates (ESU) bridge for systems that cannot immediately migrate. That calendar event created a firm procurement deadline for many households, schools and organizations and turned what is normally a multi‑year refresh cadence into a concentrated replacement window.
At the same time, industry trackers reported a pronounced Q3 2025 shipment rebound. Counterpoint Research flagged a roughly 8.1% year‑over‑year increase in global PC shipments for Q3 2025 and put Apple’s Mac unit growth at about 14.9% YoY in the same quarter, well ahead of the overall market rate. That Counterpoint snapshot explicitly linked the uplift to the Windows 10 sunset and inventory/tariff timing, while noting Apple’s refreshed MacBook lineup and enterprise pilots as compounding factors.
Independent trackers show the same directional story even if headline totals differ by methodology. Gartner reported global shipments rose 8.2% to roughly 69.9 million units in Q3 2025 and highlighted the Windows 10 end‑of‑support as a primary driver. IDC produced a higher preliminary figure — near 75.8 million units (≈ +9.4%) — reflecting differences in how each firm counts channels, regions and product categories. Taken together, these measurements confirm a clear market rebound driven largely by replacement demand in commercial, education and regulated procurement channels.

---

What the Q3 numbers actually show​

The consolidated headline picture​

• Global PC market: back into positive growth in Q3 2025 after several years of stagnation; trackers place YoY growth in the mid‑to‑high single digits depending on methodology.
• Apple (Mac): double‑digit growth (Counterpoint: +14.9% YoY) outpacing the overall market; MacBook Air/Pro refreshes and enterprise interest were cited as drivers.
• Vendor leaders: Lenovo retained top share and recorded the strongest vendor growth in many datasets; Asus and HP posted solid double‑digit gains; Dell’s performance was mixed month‑to‑month and in some datasets showed slight decline.

Why the numbers differ between trackers (and why that matters)​

Analyst houses use different definitions and collection methods:

• Sell‑in vs. sell‑through — some trackers count shipments into channels (sell‑in), others emphasize end‑user purchases (sell‑through).
• Product scope — inclusion/exclusion of Chromebooks, mini‑PCs or certain education devices can shift totals.
• Regional weighting and timing — pre‑shipment ahead of tariff windows and big national GIGA projects (e.g., education rollouts) can bias quarter‑to‑quarter figures.

Those methodological differences mean the precise unit totals vary, but the directional agreement — a timed refresh surge tied to Windows 10 EOL and the emergence of AI‑capable devices — is consistent across Counterpoint, Gartner and IDC.

---

Why some Windows 10 users chose a Mac instead of Windows 11​

Switching operating systems is an operational decision that balances cost, compatibility, security, and long‑term maintenance. Several concrete, verifiable factors converged in Q3 2025 that made macOS an attractive, lower‑friction path for a nontrivial slice of Windows 10 users.

1) Hardware eligibility friction for Windows 11​

Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade baseline (UEFI + Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, supported CPU families, minimum RAM/storage and DirectX12/WDDM2.x graphics) created a practical incompatibility for a large installed base of otherwise serviceable machines. The result: many users faced either (a) buying new Windows 11 hardware, (b) using paid ESU as a temporary bridge, or (c) switching platforms entirely. For buyers unwilling or unable to navigate firmware updates, CPU whitelists, or registry workarounds, purchasing a new Mac was often perceived as a cleaner, one‑step option.

2) Apple silicon and on‑device capability​

Apple’s M‑series road map — culminating in the M5 announcement in October 2025 with a faster Neural Engine, higher unified memory bandwidth and explicit positioning around on‑device AI — strengthened the value proposition of Macs as long‑lived, power‑efficient productivity machines. For buyers focused on battery life, quiet thermals and multi‑year performance, M‑series Macs offered a compelling TCO case when trade‑in credit and resale value were factored in.

3) Simplified security & management for small IT teams​

For many small businesses, self‑employed professionals, and schools, the integrated Apple update model, hardware‑rooted security primitives (Secure Enclave, FileVault) and the simpler device lifecycle can reduce day‑to‑day management overhead compared with a heterogeneous Windows fleet juggling OEM drivers, patching for multiple hardware families, and short‑term ESU logistics. That reduced operational friction made macOS relatively more appealing for non‑specialized use cases.

4) Microsoft 365 compatibility and ecosystem incentives​

Apple’s pitch to migrating Windows users leaned on the practical fact that Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) run on macOS, that OneDrive and Teams continuity have matured, and that iPhone–Mac interoperability (Continuity, AirDrop, Continuity Camera) offers visible productivity wins for iPhone owners. For knowledge workers whose workflows are cloud‑centric, the app gap was less of a blocker than in prior decades.

5) Promotions, trade‑ins and resale economics​

During a concentrated replacement window, OEMs and retailers often run refresh‑oriented promotions. Apple’s trade‑in program and the robust secondary market for Macs effectively narrows the net cost of acquisition for many buyers — a practical factor when procurement timelines were compressed by the EOL deadline.

---

The operational trade‑offs and hidden costs of switching​

Buying a Mac removes certain headaches but introduces others. These are important and often under‑emphasized in headline coverage.

• Windows‑only apps and drivers: Many line‑of‑business, engineering, and specialized applications (lab software, USB‑attached instrumentation, niche CAD/CAM suites, legacy ERP connectors) have no macOS native equivalent. Virtualization (Parallels, VMware) or cloud Windows can bridge many cases, but adds licensing, performance and complexity costs.
• Virtualization licensing and performance: Running modern Windows under Parallels on Apple silicon works for many productivity apps, but GPU‑intensive workloads, GPU‑dependent compute or high‑frequency trading/front‑end systems may not perform equivalently to native x86 hardware.
• Endpoint management and tooling: Switching platforms means retooling management (MDM), backup/restore processes, and helpdesk workflows. MDM paradigms are mature on macOS, yet enterprises must budget training and tooling changes.
• Software parity and plug‑ins: Third‑party add‑ins for Office, proprietary Outlook plugins, PDF tool integrations, and browser extensions can be a source of friction during migration.
• Gaming: For gamers, macOS remains a second‑class platform due to fewer AAA titles and limitations in anti‑cheat/driver stacks; Windows remains essential for competitive play.

These trade‑offs make platform migration a realistic option for many knowledge workers and small teams, but a risky wholesale strategy for enterprises with specialized Windows dependencies.

---

Practical decision matrix: who should consider switching right now​

• Switching to macOS is most defensible if:
  • Daily workflows are cloud‑first and use Microsoft 365, web apps or cross‑platform tools.
  • You are a solo professional, freelancer, or small team with limited Windows‑only app exposure.
  • Your existing Windows device cannot upgrade to Windows 11 and you prefer to avoid repeated hardware tinkering.
  • You value longer software support windows, strong resale value, and Apple ecosystem features.
• Stay (or adopt an interim plan) if:
  • Your work requires Windows‑only LOB software, specialized drivers, or low‑latency GPU performance.
  • You support a fleet with centralized Windows management and compliance dependencies.
  • Competitive gaming or platform‑specific development is critical.
• Middle ground (hybrid) options:
  • Keep targeted Windows endpoints for specialists; migrate knowledge workers to macOS.
  • Use cloud/hosted Windows environments (Windows 365 / Azure Virtual Desktops) for legacy apps while standardizing endpoints on macOS.
  • Enroll in ESU as a controlled, time‑boxed bridge while piloting macOS migration for low‑risk users.

---

Migration checklist: a 30‑day practical sprint for businesses and power users​

1. Inventory software, peripherals and line‑of‑business dependencies (spot Windows‑only tools).
2. Run Windows 11 eligibility checks (PC Health Check) and flag devices that can be upgraded.
3. Pilot one Mac per user persona for 2–4 weeks; include test runs of Parallels or cloud Windows for holdout apps.
4. Model TCO including trade‑in, Parallels/VM licensing, additional MDM seats, staff training, and potential productivity loss during transition.
5. Deploy phased rollouts: start with teams that have the fewest Windows dependencies and expand as confidence grows.
6. Maintain a rollback/VM plan for critical workloads; don’t orphan mission‑critical software without a validated replacement path.

---

Market implications beyond the short‑term refresh​

Vendors and channel dynamics​

The Q3 refresh favored vendors with robust enterprise and education distribution channels. Lenovo led in absolute shipments and growth in many trackers, with Asus and HP posting strong consumer and education gains, while Dell showed mixed timing effects in some datasets. Market concentration remains high: the top five vendors accounted for roughly three‑quarters of shipments in some snapshots. That consolidation matters because incumbents with deep enterprise relationships and supply chain scale capture a disproportionate share of compliance‑driven refresh orders.

AI PCs: positioning for the next cycle​

Analysts and vendors are already shifting messaging toward AI‑ready devices — NPUs, on‑device inference, and Copilot+ features. Gartner and other houses expect AI PCs to account for a growing slice of shipments in 2025 and 2026. But it’s important to be realistic: marketing talking points around NPUs are helpful for differentiation, but true enterprise adoption will follow meaningful software that leverages on‑device inference at scale. In short, AI hardware alone does not guarantee a generational upgrade cycle — apps and enterprise integration do.

Environmental and equity considerations​

A forced refresh wave has sustainability consequences. Replacing hundreds of millions of devices produces e‑waste and creates short‑term equity issues for households unable to afford new hardware. Alternatives such as ChromeOS Flex, supported Linux distributions, or extended use via ESU can stretch device lifetimes — but these options require planning and support channels that many small organizations lack. Public and enterprise purchasing programs that include trade‑in, refurbishment, and recycling will materially reduce the environmental footprint of this refresh cycle.

---

Strengths and limitations of the “Mac as escape hatch” thesis​

Strengths (what the data and vendor products substantiate)​

• Mac shipments outperformed the PC market in Q3 2025, a measurable fact captured in Counterpoint’s snapshot and corroborated by broader industry commentary. That reflects real buyer behavior, not just marketing spin.
• Apple Silicon’s efficiency and the M‑series roadmap materially change the value proposition for many users who prize battery life, thermal behavior and multi‑year performance. Apple’s M5 announcement intensified that narrative.
• Reduced short‑term management overhead for small teams: out‑of‑box security defaults and integrated update flows are tangible benefits for organizations without deep endpoint staff.

Limitations and risks (what buyers must not ignore)​

• Windows‑only dependencies remain the number‑one blocker. For many enterprises the migration cost — in testing, virtualization licensing, and possible re‑engineering — will outweigh the downstream benefits of moving to macOS.
• Methodological nuance in market data: different trackers report different absolute numbers; journalists and procurement teams should avoid over‑reliance on a single dataset. Cross‑checking Counterpoint, Gartner and IDC is essential when sizing a market or negotiating enterprise deals.
• Short‑term promotions and resale assumptions: trade‑in and resale value are helpful, but they fluctuate by model and region. Use conservative resale assumptions in TCO models.

---

Recommendations for IT leaders, small business owners and individual buyers​

• IT leaders: pilot, measure, and adopt a hybrid endpoint strategy. Keep Windows for specialist workloads and migrate knowledge workers where the app matrix permits. Validate any vendor AI or NPU performance claims with workload‑specific benchmarks before committing large purchases.
• Small business owners and freelancers: if your device cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 and your workflows are cloud‑centric, a Mac is a practical long‑term choice — but test virtualization for holdout apps. Treat ESU as a bridge, not a permanent solution.
• Individual buyers and home users: run PC Health Check, test macOS on a borrowed machine where possible, and consider long‑term value rather than only headline price. If gaming or Windows‑specific creative tools are important, prioritize a Windows 11‑capable device.

---

Final assessment — measured, not sensational​

The Q3 2025 data show a plainly visible phenomenon: the Windows 10 end‑of‑support deadline produced a compressed refresh cycle that materially lifted global PC shipments, and Apple captured an outsized share of that incremental demand, particularly among knowledge workers and smaller organizations seeking a low‑friction endpoint. That outcome is supported by Counterpoint’s 14.9% Mac shipment growth readout and by corroborating snapshots from Gartner and IDC.
That said, the migration is partial and conditional. Platform change is a business decision grounded in software compatibility, management economics and risk appetite — not a mere consumer brand preference. For enterprises and specialized users, a hybrid approach — mixing macOS endpoints for knowledge work, Windows endpoints for specialized workloads, and cloud/virtualized Windows for legacy dependencies — will be the pragmatic outcome for the next 12–24 months.
The Windows 10 clock forced choices and created a rare pulse of demand; Apple’s engineering and product cadence allowed it to convert a meaningful portion of that demand into Mac shipments. The next inflection will be whether AI‑capable hardware and real enterprise software that leverages on‑device inference create a second, sustained generational upgrade cycle — or whether the industry’s AI narrative remains largely a marketing driver until software and integration catch up. For buyers and IT teams, the smart path is clear: plan, pilot, measure and avoid deadline‑driven panic buys.

---

Source: The Daily Jagran People Switching To Mac Instead Of Windows 11 After Microsoft Ended Windows 10 Support