In Some Countries, Laptops and Desktops Become a Dying Breed (Even Before Tariffs), Windows Has Nowhere to Go
As of this month in Afghanistan:
This means more Android and an all-time low for Windows, just like in Iraq:
This site is not a political site (except maybe in Daily Links or where technology intersects politics), but the tariffs impact products ranging from agricultural produce to gadgets. For people who live outside the US it's possible to duck/dodge/avoid these tariffs, but only to a degree, typically by choosing particular brands or select countries of origin (indirection of tariffs). Scarcities will likely be exploited to raise the prices everywhere, regardless of origin, just like 5 years ago when COVID-19 lock-downs started across most of Europe.
It's probably too early to predict what this will mean for laptop purchases. Some people prematurely stockpile or just purchase whatever they need before the tariffs fully "take effect" or "sink in". Some companies' marketing junk piggybacks those tariffs for "last chance" (or else!) pitches... "before the tariffs". Hours ago I saw Sony doing this.
The above example (Afghanistan) is quite random; in many other nations we see similar trends, irrespective of tariffs.
From what I can gather, based on readings and news ("research"), not many people will rush to buy electronics because they prioritise stuff like food and there are still many unknowns. People would die or get ill for lack of food or poor food; a lack of gadgets can in some cases actually improve health/survival/longevity (being less sedentary, sleeping better etc.) so the tariffs probably won't play a role.
In terms of OEMs, tariffs would favour companies like Huawei or Lenovo at the expense of Apple, so expect more GNU/Linux on new and existing laptops. █