The global PC market is slowing down as fewer people purchase new computers. According to Counterpoint Research, global PC shipments fell by 21% in Q3 2026 to approximately 57 million units. A key factor is the rising cost of memory and other components, which has driven up the price of computers. Consequently, many users are opting to continue using their existing computers rather than spending on new models.
Meanwhile, demand from individual consumers remains weak. Although many companies are still purchasing new computers to replace aging devices and transition to more recent versions of Windows, these purchases have not been sufficient to offset the decline in consumer demand. This trend is particularly pronounced because PC sales were relatively high last year, as many users made purchases ahead of the end of support for Windows 10.
In terms of market standing, Lenovo remains the world’s largest PC manufacturer, with 15 million units shipped and a 26.3% market share. HP holds second place with 10.3 million units, while Dell ranks third with 7.6 million units. However, all three companies recorded a decline in shipments compared to the same period last year, reflecting the broader slowdown in the global PC market.
Conversely, Apple and ASUS have performed better than most of their competitors. Apple recorded an 11% year-on-year decline, yet its market share rose to 9.8%. Meanwhile, ASUS saw the smallest decline among the top five manufacturers, with its market share increasing to 9.2%. This performance has allowed both companies to expand their market share, even as most other manufacturers face more significant downturns. Counterpoint expects the PC market to continue facing challenges in the fourth quarter of this year, with global shipments projected to decline by as much as 27% compared to the same period last year. Looking ahead to 2027, shipment volumes are expected to remain roughly on par with this year’s levels. This suggests that the PC market may be approaching a more stable state, though there are no signs yet that sales will rebound in the near term.
