Worldwide PC shipments totaled 76.6 million units in the first quarter of 2014, a 1.7 percent decline from the first quarter of 2013, according to preliminary results by Gartner.
The severity of the decline eased compared with the past seven quarters.
Gartner principal analyst, Mikako Kitagawa, said all regions indicated a positive effect since the end of XP support stimulated the PC refresh of XP systems.
"Professional desktops, in particular, showed strength in the quarter," he said.
"Among key countries, Japan was greatly affected by the end of XP support, registering a 35 percent year-over-year increase in PC shipments.
He said the growth was also boosted by sales tax change.
"We expect the impact of XP migration worldwide to continue throughout 2014."
"While the PC market remains weak, it is showing signs of improvement compared to last year."
The PC market continued to be tough for many vendors.
"Economies of scale matter tremendously in this high-volume, low-profit market, which is forcing some vendors, such as Sony, out of the market."
