PC Shipments Decline 20.1% in Largest Drop Since Q1 2023

The global PC market experienced a significant downturn in shipments during the third quarter of 2026, with a reduction of approximately 20 percent, according to analysts. This marks the steepest decline since the first quarter of 2023, as reported by Omdia.

Overall, global shipments—including laptops, desktops, and workstations—dropped by 21.2 percent year over year, amounting to 58.1 million devices in Q3 2026. Specifically, desktop PC shipments fell by 23.5 percent to 11.7 million units, while laptop shipments decreased by 20.6 percent to 46.4 million units, according to Omdia.

Similar findings were echoed by IDC, which reported a 20.1 percent year-over-year decline in PC shipments, totaling 62.7 million units compared to 78.5 million in the same quarter of 2025. The quarterly decline was also notable, with shipments down 9.1 percent from 68.2 million units in the second quarter of 2026.

This marks the most substantial drop recorded by IDC for any third quarter. Interestingly, this decline took place during a period when PC shipments typically exceed those of the previous quarter, indicating a deeper issue within the market.

Jitesh Ubrani, research director for consumer devices at IDC, highlighted historical context, noting larger declines in past years, such as the -28.2 percent drop in Q4 of 2022 and a -28.7 percent decline in Q1 of 2023, both following the pandemic’s peak. Many PC vendors had stocked up on inventory anticipating memory price increases, leading to diminished demand in Q3.

Ubrani warned that the market is currently facing challenges, as sales channels are burdened with excessive inventory while consumer demand remains suppressed due to high prices.