Global PC shipments fall 21% in Q3 2026 due to rising component costs

Global personal computer shipments declined by 21% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2026, falling to 57 million units. According to reports from Counterpoint Research and Omdia, the downturn is primarily driven by soaring costs for memory components, specifically DRAM and NAND flash, which are in high demand for AI applications.

These rising production costs have forced manufacturers to increase retail prices, leading many consumers to delay upgrading their devices. While enterprise demand for Windows updates provided some support, it was insufficient to offset the slump in consumer spending. Analysts predict a further 27% decline in shipments for the fourth quarter of 2026.

In terms of market share, Lenovo maintained its leadership position with 15 million units (26.3% share). HP saw the largest decline among major manufacturers, with shipments dropping 31% to 10.3 million units. Dell followed in third place with a 25% decrease. Conversely, Apple and ASUS managed to increase their market shares, supported by steady demand for premium models like the MacBook Neo and high-refresh-rate products.