Global PC shipments fell 20.1% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, according to preliminary data from IDC. Shipments totaled 62.7 million units. This was the second consecutive quarterly decline and reversed the usual seasonal trend, in which the third quarter outperforms the second.
The downturn reflects ongoing supply constraints and elevated prices. Vendors and channels had also built up inventory in the first half of the year to get ahead of anticipated price hikes.
HP Inc. shipments fell 30.9%. Dell Technologies shipments declined 25%. Market leader Lenovo saw shipments drop 22.6%.
Apple shipments fell 11.3%, a smaller decline than the overall market. Its market share rose to 9.5%.
IDC warned that worsening macroeconomic conditions could further suppress demand through the rest of 2026 and into 2027.