Global PC Sales Crashes as Laptop Prices Continue to Rise

Global shipments of personal computers dropped sharply in the third quarter of 2026, declining by 21% year-on-year to reach 57 million units, according to a report from Counterpoint Research. The contraction impacted all major PC producers as escalating costs for essential components led to an increase in laptop prices, subsequently dampening consumer demand.

The primary driver behind the slowdown was attributed to surging DRAM and NAND memory prices. These higher manufacturing expenses rendered laptops more costly, prompting consumers to postpone their purchases and replacements.

Lenovo continued to dominate the global PC market, selling around 15 million units and capturing a 26.3% market share during the July–September period. HP followed with 10.3 million shipments and an 18.1% share, while Dell secured the third position with 7.6 million units and a 13.3% share. Apple's market share rose to 9.8%, buoyed by a steady demand for the MacBook Neo, although its shipments plummeted by 11% year-on-year to approximately 5.6 million units.

Asus also managed to boost its market share to 9.2%, selling around 5.2 million PCs, marking a 19.4% increase in shipments compared to the previous quarter.

Counterpoint Research anticipates that the global PC shipments will continue to decline in the fourth quarter of 2026, projecting a 27% year-on-year fall. The firm also predicts that shipments will largely remain flat in 2027, indicating that the market might stabilize without a significant recovery. The expectation is that higher component costs, prolonged replacement cycles, and weakened consumer demand will persistently impact the industry.

Although business acquisitions and upgrades to newer Windows systems are providing some support, they have not been sufficient to counterbalance the broader slowdown. Manufacturers will need to strike a balance between bearing the rising production costs and offering affordable pricing, as consumers persist in delaying their purchases.