PC shipments tumbled approximately 20 percent in Q3 2026, marking the industry's sharpest decline since Q1 2023, according to Omdia. Global shipments of laptops, desktops, and workstations fell 21.2 percent year over year to 58.1 million devices. Desktop PC shipments dropped 23.5 percent to 11.7 million units, while laptop shipments declined 20.6 percent to 46.4 million.
IDC reported similar results, stating PC shipments fell 20.1 percent year over year to 62.7 million units, compared to 78.5 million in Q3 2025. Shipments also dropped 9.1 percent quarter over quarter from 68.2 million units in Q2 2026. IDC noted this was the biggest third-quarter decline it has ever recorded.
Jitesh Ubrani, research director for consumer devices at IDC, explained that while other quarters like 2022 Q4 (-28.2 percent) and 2023 Q1 (-28.7 percent) saw steeper falls, those followed pandemic highs. Vendors and sales channels had stocked up earlier in the year anticipating memory price hikes, leaving minimal demand in Q3.
"Channels are now worried about carrying too much inventory into a market where high prices are suppressing demand," Ubrani said.
Source: Ars Technica · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing