Global PC shipments fell 20.1% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, according to the latest data from IDC. Deliveries reached 62.7 million units between July and September, down from 78.5 million a year earlier.
The decline marks the second consecutive quarter of declines. Shipments fell by a smaller 3.8% in the second quarter. They also decreased by 9.1% compared to the previous quarter, which highlights the growing pressure on the PC market.
However, the shipment figures do not reflect actual sales to consumers. IDC says retailers stocked up in the first half of the year to avoid expected price increases. As a result, many focused on selling existing inventory in Q3 rather than ordering new stock.
Jitesh Ubrani, IDC research director for consumer devices, said retailers are concerned about holding excess inventory while high prices weaken demand. Some retailers may offer discounts for clearing their stock. However, IDC expects PC prices to remain high in the industry.
Ubrani also warned that deteriorating economic conditions would further weaken the market. He expects the outlook for the next few quarters to worsen before conditions improve.
| Company | Q3 2026 shipments | Q3 2026 market share | Q3 2025 shipments | Q3 2025 market share | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo | 14.9 | 23.8% | 19.3 | 24.6% | -22.6% |
| HP Inc. | 10.3 | 16.5% | 15.0 | 19.1% | -30.9% |
| Dell Technologies | 7.6 | 12.1% | 10.1 | 12.9% | -25.0% |
| Apple | 5.9 | 9.5% | 6.7 | 8.5% | -11.3% |
| Asus | 5.5 | 8.7% | 6.0 | 7.6% | -8.6% |
| Others | 18.4 | 29.4% | 21.4 | 27.3% | -14.0% |
| Total | 62.7 | 100.0% | 78.5 | 100.0% | -20.1% |
Lenovo remained the world’s largest PC seller in Q3, shipping 14.9 million units and securing a 23.8% market share. HP ranked second with 10.3 million shipments and a 16.5% share. Dell followed with 7.6 million units and a 12.1% share.
Apple took fourth place with 5.9 million shipments, giving it a 9.5% market share. Asus ranked fifth with 5.5 million units and an 8.7% share. The remaining vendors accounted for 18.4 million shipments, or 29.4% of the market.
HP recorded the steepest annual decline in shipments among the five leading vendors, falling 30.9%. Dell’s shipments dropped 25%, while Lenovo recorded a 22.6% decline. Apple did better, with shipments down 11.3%, followed by Asus with a drop of 8.6%.
Despite the overall market contraction, Apple and Asus increased their market shares compared to Q3 2025. Apple’s share increased from 8.5% to 9.5%, while Asus rose from 7.6% to 8.7%. Lenovo’s share fell from 24.6% to 23.8%, while HP and Dell also lost ground.
Overall, the latest numbers point to a difficult period for PC manufacturers and retailers. High prices, weaker demand and efforts to clear existing inventory weigh on shipments. The IDC outlook also suggests that the market could face further challenges in the coming quarters.