PC shipments fell by 20.1 percent in the third quarter of 2026, marking the sharpest decline since Q1 2023, according to IDC. While desktop PC shipments decreased by 23.5 percent, laptop shipments saw a 20.6 percent drop. Analysts at Omdia reported a 21.2 percent fall in global PC shipments to 58.1 million devices. IDC, meanwhile, found that PC shipments fell to 62.7 million units, a 20.1 percent decrease from the previous year.

The decline is even more striking considering that Q3 usually sees higher PC shipments than Q2. Jitesh Ubrani, research director at IDC, attributes the drop to early stocking by vendors in anticipation of memory price hikes, leaving minimal demand in Q3. He warns that sales channels are now concerned about carrying too much inventory into a market where high prices are stifling demand.

“If you’re considering a PC purchase, now might be the time to wait,” he mused. “Or, perhaps, humanity has found a new way to work and play that doesn’t require as many devices.”