IDC Reports a Sharp PC Market Slump in the Third Quarter of 2026
Global personal computer shipments fell 20.1% year-over-year to 62.7M units in the third quarter of 2026, according to data published by IDC. This contraction represents the second straight quarterly decline for the industry, deepening significantly from the 3.8% drop recorded in the second quarter.
Sequential figures proved equally revealing. Shipments fell 9.1% compared to the previous quarter. That trajectory deviates sharply from historical market patterns, where the third quarter typically outpaces the second due to back-to-school buying cycles.
Strong First-Half Pull-In Distorts Normal Industry Seasonality
That front-loading broke traditional seasonal rhythms. Channels are now stuck carrying excess inventory into an economic climate where elevated retail prices continue to suppress consumer demand. While this imbalance might trigger short-term promotional discounts, prices are not expected to return to the lows seen a year prior.
Vendor Rankings and Apple’s Market Share Gain
Despite the broader downturn, Apple managed to expand its market footprint. IDC reported that Apple captured 9.5% of the global PC market in the third quarter of 2026, up from 8.5% in the same period of 2025. That growth occurred even as Apple’s actual shipment volume dropped to 5.9M units from 6.7M units a year earlier.
Lenovo maintained its position as the industry’s leading vendor, shipping 14.9M PCs to claim 23.8% of the market. That performance marked a decline from the third quarter of 2025, when Lenovo shipped 19.3M units and held a 24.6% share.
| Vendor | Q3 2026 Shipments (M) | Q3 2026 Market Share | Q3 2025 Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo | 14.9 | 23.8% | 24.6% |
| HP | 10.3 | 16.5% | 19.1% |
| Dell Technologies | 7.6 | 12.1% | 12.9% |
| Apple | 5.9 | 9.5% | 8.5% |
| Asus | 5.5 | 8.7% | 7.6% |
Shifting Vendor Positions Among the Top Five
The remaining spots in the top five vendor rankings saw similar contraction across unit volumes and market share. HP shipped 10.3M units, capturing 16.5% of the market down from 19.1% in the prior-year period. Dell Technologies moved 7.6M units, securing a 12.1% share compared to 12.9% previously. Asus rounded out the group with 5.5M units shipped, lifting its share to 8.7% from 7.6%.
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