IDC: Worldwide PC shipments in Q3 fell 20 percent from last year
Hello, RAMaggedon, my old friend.
The International Data Corporation reported that global PC shipments during the third quarter of 2026 numbered 62.7 million. That figure marks a 9.1 percent decrease from the Q2 2026 total and a staggering year-over-year drop of 20.1 percent from Q3 2025.
The organization credited supply issues and elevated prices as some of the reasons for the sinking interest. IDC reported its first decline for PC shipments in nine quarters during July 2026, just a few months after it cut its forecast for the PC market for all of 2026.
Inventory and Pricing Outlook
Channels are now worried about carrying too much inventory into a market where high prices are suppressing demand, according to IDC's research director for consumer devices. That could translate into promotions and some short-term relief for consumers, but pricing is not expected to return to levels seen a year prior. Prices will remain elevated as macroeconomic conditions face continued pressure.
Consumers shopping for computers or components are advised to look for available deals or consider delaying purchases until market prices stabilize.
