Global PC shipments fall 21% in Q3 2026 as Lenovo holds top spot
Global desktop and notebook shipments dropped 21.2% year on year to 58.1 million units in the third quarter of 2026, according to Omdia. Desktop shipments fell 23.5% to 11.7 million units, while notebook shipments declined 20.6% to 46.4 million units. Omdia expects a further 24% annual decline in the fourth quarter of 2026 and a 7% drop in 2027, with Lenovo remaining the market leader.
Omdia’s data show the third-quarter drop followed earlier buying that had boosted the first half. Vendors had already signaled double-digit unit declines for the second half, while retailers reported double-digit average selling price increases as sales weakened. Component costs also weighed: DRAM and SSD shares of PC costs rose from about 15% to nearly 40%, with prices more than quadrupling.
Manufacturers and design partners reduced output in Q3, and distribution partners continued trimming high inventories. Processor, graphics-card and integrated-circuit shortages added supply pressure. Lenovo stayed first with 14.9 million units and 26% share; HP fell most among major vendors, down 31% to 10.3 million units. Dell, Apple and Asus followed.
Higher PC prices and weaker shipments could affect households, students, remote workers, and small businesses that need affordable devices. IT departments may delay upgrades, extending replacement cycles and potentially widening access gaps where newer hardware matters. Retailers and component suppliers may face softer demand and inventory adjustments. If cost pressures persist, consumers could keep older machines longer, while vendors may focus more on premium models, shaping what options remain available.