Brief
Global PC shipments tumble 20% in Q3 2026, analysts say
Omdia and IDC data show a sharp fall in laptops, desktops and workstations amid inventory concerns.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Analysts announced on Tuesday that global PC shipments fell about 20 percent in the third quarter of 2026, marking the sharpest decline since the first quarter of 2023. Omdia reported a 21.2 percent year‑on‑year drop to 58.1 million units, with desktop shipments down 23.5 percent to 11.7 million and laptops down 20.6 percent to 46.4 million. IDC’s figures show a 20.1 percent decline to 62.7 million units, compared with 78.5 million in Q3 2025, and a 9.1 percent fall from the previous quarter’s 68.2 million. IDC research director Jitesh Ubrani told PCMag that many vendors stocked up earlier in the year anticipating memory‑price hikes, leaving “minimal demand” and “concern about carrying too much inventory” in Q3.
Key facts
- Global PC shipments fell 21.2% YoY to 58.1 million units in Q3 2026, per Omdia. (arstechnica.com)
- Desktop shipments dropped 23.5% to 11.7 million units, per Omdia. (arstechnica.com)
- Laptop shipments fell 20.6% to 46.4 million units, per Omdia. (arstechnica.com)
- IDC reported a 20.1% YoY decline to 62.7 million units, the biggest Q3 drop in its history. (arstechnica.com)
- IDC’s Jitesh Ubrani said vendors stocked up earlier, leading to low demand and inventory worries in Q3. (arstechnica.com)
Sources
- [1] arstechnica.com — originally reported as “PC shipments fall 20. 1 percent in “sharpest decline” since Q1 2023”
