The global personal computer (PC) market is facing a significant downturn, with consumers buying fewer laptops and desktops than before. According to the latest figures from market research firm IDC, worldwide PC shipments plunged sharply in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026.
The third quarter is typically a strong period for PC sales, driven by back-to-school purchases and the beginning of the festive shopping season. This year, however, the market has followed a very different trajectory.
Here is a closer look at the decline in PC shipments, the factors behind it, and what it could mean for consumers planning to purchase a new laptop.
The sharp decline: What the numbers reveal
IDC's preliminary tracker data shows that global PC shipments dropped by a substantial 20.1% year-on-year in Q3 2026.
The scale of the decline becomes clearer when comparing shipment volumes. The industry shipped 78.5 million PCs in the third quarter of last year, whereas shipments fell to just 62.7 million units during the same period this year. This represents one of the sharpest contractions the industry has experienced in recent years.
The downturn is not an isolated development. It marks the second consecutive quarterly decline this year, following a 3.8% fall in Q2. Shipments also decreased by a further 9.1% compared with the previous quarter, an unusual trend for this time of year.
What is driving the downturn?
A major factor behind the slump is what industry experts describe as a “pull-in hangover”.
Earlier this year, PC manufacturers and retailers anticipated a rise in component costs, particularly for memory and storage used in AI-powered systems. To avoid purchasing components and finished products at higher prices later, they placed large orders for laptops and desktops during the first half of the year.
Consequently, retailers and distributors are now dealing with excessive inventory in their warehouses. With substantial stocks already on hand, including products acquired at higher prices, they have little incentive to place fresh orders with manufacturers.
Jitesh Ubrani, IDC's research director for consumer devices, explained the situation: “What we’re seeing is the result of the strong first half pull-in. Vendors and channels loaded up on inventory early in the year to get ahead of price hikes, and that has thrown off the usual seasonality, where Q3 is typically larger than Q2.”
Rising hardware costs worldwide have added to the pressure, making new computers increasingly expensive for ordinary consumers.
How have the leading PC brands performed?
Nearly all major PC manufacturers recorded double-digit shipment declines during the quarter. Although some smaller players experienced relatively modest setbacks, established industry leaders faced particularly steep losses.
HP and Dell reported shipment declines of 30.9% and 25%, respectively, while market leader Lenovo saw a 22.6% drop. In comparison, Apple and Asus performed relatively better, with shipments declining by 11.3% and 8.6%, respectively.
Is now a good time to buy a PC?
Consumers planning to purchase a new laptop in the near future could find some attractive offers.
Retailers and online sellers are holding large inventories that they need to sell, making promotional discounts, short-term price reductions and festive-season deals more likely.
However, buyers should not expect prices to fall dramatically or remain lower permanently. Manufacturing costs are still high, meaning laptop prices are likely to remain above last year's levels.
IDC analysts have also cautioned that market conditions could deteriorate further before recovering. Therefore, consumers who find a worthwhile festive offer from a retailer looking to clear existing stock may want to consider taking advantage of it rather than waiting for much larger price cuts.
