Shrink anticipated in entry-level PC gaming market due to discontinuation of Windows 10 support, as per recent studies
The world of PC gaming is experiencing a significant transformation, with several key developments shaping the future of this popular pastime. Here's a roundup of some of the most noteworthy happenings in the PC gaming hardware market.
High-End Gaming Laptops and PCs Lead the Pack
The Razer Blade 16 and the HP Omen 35L are currently among the best gaming laptops and PCs, respectively, according to industry experts. As the global PC gaming hardware market is predicted to grow by 35% in 2025, reaching a staggering $44.5 billion, these high-end devices are likely to remain in high demand.
Windows 11 and the Shift Away from Older Systems
The release of Windows 11 has brought about a new set of requirements, with the operating system officially requiring TPM 2.0. This means that many older CPUs, such as the Intel Core i7-7700 and most pre-2021 AMD CPUs, do not meet the compatibility requirements set by Microsoft. As a result, over 100 million gamers may need to upgrade their entire hardware platform to transition to Windows 11 in an official and standard way.
A Decrease in Entry-Level PC Gaming
The shift towards newer hardware is expected to lead to a 'significant decrease' in gaming on entry-level systems, with the entry-level PC gamer population projected to reduce by approximately 13%. This trend is further supported by the fact that many of the current-gen and previous-gen hardware are still considered 'entry-level', despite GPU prices returning to their MSRP.
The Attraction of Alternative Platforms
For budget-limited gamers, consoles, handhelds, and mobile devices offer compelling value. In fact, a few million entry-level gamers are migrating to more expensive hardware tiers (midrange and high-end), while others are opting for these alternative platforms.
The Future of PC Gaming Hardware Market
Despite these changes, the overall PC hardware market outlook remains positive. With a predicted growth from less than $34 billion in 2024 to over $44 billion in 2025, $46 billion in 2026, and around $44-46 billion levels for the following years, the market shows no signs of slowing down.
New Additions to the PC Gaming Scene
In other news, the Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS ed., the Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT, and the Meta Quest 3 are among the latest additions to the world of PC gaming, offering innovative solutions for handheld gaming PCs, mini PCs, and VR headsets, respectively.
Lastly, we welcome Jacob Fox, a well-known hardware junkie and former freelancer for PC Gamer, who has recently joined the PC Gaming site full-time. His expertise and passion for all things PC gaming are sure to enrich the content offered by the site.
As the landscape of PC gaming continues to evolve, it's an exciting time to be a part of this vibrant community. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we navigate this ever-changing world together.
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