Counterpoint: Global PC Shipments Fall 21 Percent in Q3 2026
The decline matched earlier reports from IDC and Omdia, with Counterpoint linking it to higher component prices and expecting a 27 percent drop in Q4.
Global PC shipments fell 21 percent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research, which attributed the decline to higher component prices. The figures matched earlier reports from IDC and Omdia.
Counterpoint said RAM, SSDs and chips from Intel, AMD and Qualcomm have become more expensive over recent months, pushing up prices on products including MacBooks and Raspberry Pis. Smartphone shipments in the same quarter hit a 14-year low, according to the research firm.
Counterpoint senior analyst Minsoo Kang said some companies are prioritizing configurations that can better absorb component inflation. Some manufacturers are also reviving older tech such as DDR4 RAM and 4GB GPUs to mitigate the price hikes, according to the firm.
Further decline expected
Counterpoint expects global shipments to plunge 27 percent in the fourth quarter of 2026 and remain broadly flat in 2027, according to associate director David Naranjo. The report was covered by theverge.com.
Up until the second quarter of 2026, PC shipments had been growing for more than two years straight. The third quarter of 2025 included purchases ahead of the Windows 10 support deadline and tariff-related inventory adjustments, which added to the sharp year-over-year drop.
Quick answers
How much did global PC shipments fall in Q3 2026?
Counterpoint Research reported a 21 percent year-over-year decline.
Why did PC shipments drop?
Counterpoint linked the decline to higher component prices, including RAM, SSDs and chips from Intel, AMD and Qualcomm.
What does Counterpoint expect for Q4 2026?
The firm expects global shipments to plunge 27 percent in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to associate director David Naranjo.