IDC: Worldwide PC shipments in Q3 fell 20 percent from last year
IDC said worldwide PC shipments fell to 62.7 million in the third quarter of 2026, down 20.1 per cent from the same period a year earlier. The decline matters because it signals weaker demand amid supply problems and high prices, after nine quarters of growth.
Shipments were also 9.1 per cent lower than in the second quarter. IDC’s Jitesh Ubrani said distributors are concerned about excess stock as prices suppress demand, which could lead to promotions and temporary savings for buyers. However, IDC expects prices to remain elevated, with the outlook for the coming quarters at risk of worsening.
- Global PC shipments fell 20.1 per cent year on year.
- Q3 shipments totalled 62.7 million, down 9.1 per cent from Q2.
- IDC expects high prices to persist despite possible promotions.
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PC shipments are the computers sent by manufacturers to shops and other distributors; the figures do not measure computers bought directly by consumers. IDC is a market research firm that tracks these shipments and compares them with earlier periods.
The market includes makers such as Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple and Asus, as well as the distributors that supply retailers. Shipment trends matter because they indicate how much stock is moving through the supply chain and can affect prices and discounts for buyers.
A drop after a long period of growth can signal that demand is weakening. High prices and supply problems can make computers harder to buy, while excess stock at distributors may prompt temporary promotions.