After nine quarters of growth, or at least maintaining stability, global PC shipments have seen a significant negative trend in the second quarter of 2026. The latest PC shipment data from research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) indicates a decline of 4.9%, with Apple the only computing device maker to gain market share. IDC estimates that the decline in memory chip shortages is due to a combination of factors including an increase in hardware inventory due to the West Asia conflict and investments in AI data centers.
In the second quarter of 2026, 68.2 million computing devices were shipped worldwide, down from 71.7 million shipments in the same quarter last year. Although the decline was predicted, the severity in terms of percentage was not expected. The outlook for the coming quarters does not exactly indicate a light at the end of this tunnel.
“Given worsening macro conditions and memory shortages, which are not expected to ease until early 2028, we do not expect another round of inventory pull-forward,” says Jitesh Ubarani, research director of consumer devices at IDC, pointing to a sharp deceleration in growth rates in the second half of 2026. Sellers are poised for further price hikes in 2027, and channels are already looking at these higher prices. “Are raising concerns about increased inventory at points.”
The decline can be classified as cost pressure resulting from the unavailability of memory stock, and large PC manufacturers making large-scale purchases into businesses beyond just computing devices, which may further reduce the availability of supply for competition.
Jean-Philippe Bouchard, vice president of consumer devices at IDC, says, “As market conditions worsen, the importance of supply chain management and capabilities is increasingly important. The largest vendors, with their purchasing power and long-standing supplier relationships, are best positioned to take share from smaller rivals.”
Lenovo leads worldwide PC shipments with purchases of 16.6 million units in Q2 2026, accounting for 24.4% market share – although actual shipments are down 2.1% overall, Lenovo’s market share has increased from 23.7% in Q2 2025. HP has seen a 9% decline in total shipments to 13 million units compared to 14.3 million in the same period last year, and also sees the market share declining to 19.1% from 19.9%.
Apple is the only brand that has recorded significant positive growth. With 6.7 million Mac shipments, it achieved a market share of 9.9%. This means an upward trajectory and market share growth of 8.5% from 6.1 million units shipped in the same quarter last year.
“Apple’s share gains coincided with its latest product launch, the MacBook Neo, and although the company raised prices in line with the broader market, it still remains well positioned relative to rivals facing similar cost pressures,” says Bouchard.
