Global PC shipments fall 21% in Q3 2026 as memory and chip prices rise
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In 50 words
Global PC shipments fell 21 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026, Counterpoint Research said, blaming higher prices for RAM, SSDs and chips. Smartphone shipments also hit a 14-year low that quarter. Counterpoint expects shipments to drop 27 percent in Q4 2026 and stay broadly flat in 2027.
Why it matters
Global PC shipments plunged 21% in Q3 2026 as rising RAM, SSD and processor prices pushed up computer costs. Budget-conscious consumers face fewer affordable options, while manufacturers struggle with weaker demand and higher production expenses.
What's next
Counterpoint Research forecasts a further 27% decline in global PC shipments in Q4 2026, with the market remaining broadly flat in 2027. Manufacturers may increasingly adopt older components and prioritize higher-margin configurations to control costs.
Key dates
- Q3 2025:Windows 10 support deadline and tariff concerns accelerate PC purchases.
- Q2 2026:PC shipments decline after more than two years of growth.
- Q3 2026:Global PC shipments fall 21% year-over-year.
- Q4 2026:Counterpoint forecasts a 27% shipment decline.
- 2027:Shipments are expected to stabilize, with limited recovery.
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Sources
- The VergeView original →
