Global PC shipments crater 20% as rising prices hammer demand
Buyers rushed to beat hikes earlier this year, but demand has since dried up as AI-fueled component shortages send costs soaring
The global PC market has experienced a significant decline in shipments, with the number of units sold dropping more than 20 percent in the third quarter of 2026. This decline is attributed to the memory shortage caused by the AI industry's high demand for memory and storage components, which has led to increased prices. Both Omdia and IDC report a drop in shipments, with Omdia estimating 58.1 million units shipped and IDC estimating 62.7 million units.
The downward trend follows a surge in PC purchases earlier in the year as manufacturers and customers stocked up ahead of anticipated price hikes. This led to a seasonal shift, with shipments falling 9.1 percent from the previous quarter, contrary to the typical back-to-school demand boost. The shortage of memory and storage components, along with other integrated circuits, has put strain on PC manufacturers.
Lenovo, the market leader, saw a 22.6 percent decline in shipments to 14.9 million units, while HP saw a 31 percent drop to 10.3 million units. Apple's shipments declined by 11 percent, but the company still shipped 6.8 million units according to Omdia, compared to IDC's 5.9 million. While retailers and distributors may try to clear excess inventory in the coming quarters, IDC does not expect PC prices to return to pre-pandemic levels.
The forecast predicts that global PC shipments will fall another 24 percent in the fourth quarter, followed by a further 7 percent decline in 2027.
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