The global PC market saw a significant fourth-quarter performance in 2025, with shipments rising 9.6% year-over-year to 76.4 million units, marking nine consecutive quarters of growth, according to International Data Corporation (IDC). However, the outlook for 2026 raises concerns as ongoing memory shortages might lead to potential market contraction, with projected declines in shipments ranging from 4.9% to 8.9% year-over-year.
Among leading manufacturers, Lenovo maintained its top position with 19.3 million shipments (25.3% market share), followed by HP Inc. at 15.4 million units (20.1% market share). Dell Technologies experienced the largest growth at 18.2%, reaching 11.7 million units and a market share of 15.3%. Meanwhile, Apple only saw a minimal growth of 0.2%, with shipments at 7.1 million, lowering its market share from 10.2% to 9.3%.
As the PC industry heads into 2026, IDC highlights that the increased demand for memory in AI applications is redirecting production away from consumer devices, likely leading to higher prices and fewer affordable options for consumers. Major vendors are already preparing for substantial price increases as they adjust to rising costs.
