Global PC shipments fell 21% in the third quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, according to The Verge and Engadget. Both cited the market research firm Counterpoint Research.

The industry shipped more than 70 million computers in the same quarter last year, Engadget reported. That fell to 57 million this year, it said. Shipments also fell 13.8% from the second quarter, Engadget reported.

Counterpoint tied the drop to higher prices for parts, The Verge reported. Memory, storage and chips have all gotten more expensive, it said. That has led to price hikes on everything from MacBooks to Raspberry Pis, The Verge reported.

"The global PC market is facing mounting pressure as rising memory and component costs push system prices higher and force consumers to delay replacement purchases," said Counterpoint analyst Minsoo Kang, according to Engadget.

PC shipments had grown for more than two years until the second quarter of 2026, The Verge reported. Last year's third quarter was boosted by people buying ahead of the end of Windows 10 support, Counterpoint said, according to The Verge.

Counterpoint expects shipments to drop 27% in the fourth quarter, The Verge and Engadget reported. It expects 2027 to be flat.

Counterpoint's David Naranjo said "stabilization should not be mistaken for recovery," according to The Verge.

Lenovo is still the market leader, but its shipments fell 23%, Engadget reported. HP fell 31% and Dell fell 25%, it said. Apple fell 11%, which raised its share of the market, Engadget reported. ASUS had the smallest drop among top makers at 7%, it said.

The Verge said the numbers match earlier reports from IDC and Omdia. Smartphone shipments also hit a 14-year low in the same quarter, The Verge reported.

What we know: PC shipments fell 21% from a year earlier as part prices rose.
What we don't: When memory prices will ease enough for demand to recover.