Worldwide PC shipments fell by more than 20% in the third quarter, according to estimates from IDC and Omdia, as AI-related memory shortages pushed up component costs and weakened the usual seasonal sales period. The decline is affecting consumers, businesses and computer manufacturers.
A sharp reversal for the PC market
IDC estimated that global shipments of desktops, notebooks and workstations dropped 20.1% year over year to 62.7 million units in the third quarter of 2026, down from 78.5 million a year earlier. Omdia reported a similar 21.2% decline, although its estimate was lower at 58.1 million units.
The decline was unusually severe because the third quarter is normally stronger than the second as schools, companies and consumers refresh computers. IDC said shipments also fell 9.1% sequentially, reversing the market’s usual seasonal pattern.
Why AI is affecting ordinary computers
The Register reported that AI data-center construction is increasing demand for memory and other components, competing with traditional PC makers for supply. Manufacturers, distributors and corporate customers also brought purchases forward earlier in 2026 to get ahead of expected price increases, leaving less demand for the third quarter.
IDC’s preliminary figures showed Lenovo remained the largest vendor with 14.9 million shipments, followed by HP with 10.3 million and Dell with 7.6 million. Apple shipped an estimated 5.9 million Macs, an 11.3% decline, but increased its market share to 9.5% because the overall market contracted more sharply.
What buyers should expect
Higher memory and component costs could keep computer prices elevated, particularly for lower-cost systems and machines designed for local AI workloads. Omdia expects the PC market to decline further in the fourth quarter, while The Register reported that the firm projects another decline across 2027.
For buyers, the practical lesson is to compare current discounts carefully rather than assume every sale represents a lasting price reset. Anyone whose existing computer still meets their needs may have little reason to upgrade immediately. Businesses should also account for potentially higher replacement costs when preparing hardware budgets.
The results show that the AI boom is reshaping more than data-center construction. It is also influencing the availability and affordability of everyday computing hardware, creating pressure across the PC supply chain.
References
Charlton, H. (2026, October 9). Mac shipments fall, but Apple still gains ground in shrinking market. MacRumors. https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/09/mac-shipments-fall-but-apple-gains-ground/
Page, C. (2026, October 9). Global PC shipments crater 20% as rising prices hammer demand. The Register. https://www.theregister.com/personal-tech/2026/10/09/global-pc-shipments-crater-20-as-rising-prices-hammer-demand/5302264