IDC report shows worldwide PC shipments dropped 20.1% in Q3 2026

Worldwide PC shipments fell 20.1% year over year in Q3 2026 to 62.7 million units, according to preliminary data from IDC. This marks the second consecutive quarterly decline, down from 78.5 million units in the same period last year and 9.1% lower than Q2.

IDC attributes the drop to inventory front-loading in H1 2026, when vendors stocked up ahead of memory-driven price increases. That pulled volume out of the second half, leaving Q3 with constrained supply and high prices. Top market vendors experienced heavy losses as a result. HP shipments fell 30.9% to 10.3 million units, Dell fell 25% to 7.6 million, and market leader Lenovo declined 22.6% to 14.9 million.

Apple and Asus fared slightly better, dropping 11.3% and 8.6% respectively. Because both fell slower than the broader market, their market shares rose, while most of the other top companies saw a decrease.

According to IDC research director Jitesh Ubrani, channel worries over excess inventory could trigger brief, modest promotional discounts for buyers. However, pricing is expected to remain well above last year's levels.

KitGuru says: The PC market seems to be getting worse before it improves again. Hopefully, things will turn around sooner rather than later.

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