Global personal computer (PC) shipments declined sharply in the third quarter of 2026 as rising component costs pushed laptop prices higher and weakened consumer demand. According to a report from Counterpoint Research, worldwide PC shipments fell 21% year-on-year to approximately 57 million units between July and September.
The downturn affected all major PC manufacturers, highlighting the growing pressure on the global computer industry. Higher memory prices have increased manufacturing expenses, making laptops more expensive for consumers and businesses planning to upgrade their devices.
Counterpoint Research identified rising DRAM and NAND memory prices as the primary factors behind the slowdown. These components are essential to modern computers, and increases in their costs can affect manufacturers’ pricing decisions, production budgets and profit margins.
As laptop prices continue to rise, many consumers are reconsidering whether to purchase new devices immediately. Some buyers may choose to delay upgrades, extend the life of their existing computers or look for more affordable alternatives.
The decline in PC shipments also reflects the challenges manufacturers face when production costs increase during a period of uncertain demand. Companies must balance higher component expenses with competitive pricing, particularly in markets where customers are sensitive to price changes.
Despite the industry-wide slowdown, Lenovo maintained its position as the world’s largest PC manufacturer during the third quarter of 2026. The company shipped approximately 15 million units, securing a 26.3% share of the global market.
HP ranked second, recording around 10.3 million PC shipments and capturing an 18.1% market share. Dell placed third with approximately 7.6 million units shipped, representing 13.3% of the market.
The figures show that the leading manufacturers continued to hold substantial positions despite the difficult market environment. However, the broader decline indicates that established brands were not immune to the impact of rising component prices and weaker purchasing activity.
Memory costs are particularly important in the PC industry because DRAM supports a computer’s working memory, while NAND flash storage is widely used in solid-state drives. Higher prices for these components can increase the cost of producing laptops across different price categories.
Manufacturers may respond by raising retail prices, adjusting product specifications or introducing promotional offers to encourage buyers. However, these strategies can be difficult to implement when production expenses rise faster than consumers’ willingness to pay.
The slowdown could also influence the timing of computer replacement cycles. Households, students and businesses may continue using older devices for longer if new laptops become less affordable. Businesses managing large fleets of computers could postpone purchases to control technology spending.
For consumers in markets such as Pakistan, rising international laptop prices could create additional affordability concerns, particularly when combined with currency fluctuations, import costs and local taxes. The actual impact on domestic retail prices will depend on these factors as well as local demand and distributor pricing.
The PC industry’s performance in the coming quarters will depend partly on memory price trends, manufacturers’ pricing strategies and the willingness of consumers to replace existing devices. Any sustained increase in component costs could continue to weigh on demand.
The latest Counterpoint Research figures highlight the sensitivity of the global PC market to changes in component pricing. With shipments falling across major manufacturers, the industry faces the challenge of managing higher production costs while keeping computers affordable enough to support future sales growth.