PC Prices to Stay High as Shipments Drop 20%

For players, this means building or buying a new gaming PC will likely stay expensive well into 2027. The memory crisis shows no signs of easing, so expect to pay a premium for components and pre-buil…

For players, this means building or buying a new gaming PC will likely stay expensive well into 2027. The memory crisis shows no signs of easing, so expect to pay a premium for components and pre-buil…

Key points - Worldwide PC shipments fell 20.1% year-over-year in Q3 2026, from 78.5 million to 62.7 million units. - The memory and supply chain crisis, driven by AI server demand, is the primary cause of the decline. - Vendors stockpiled inventory in H1 2026, borrowing volume from Q3 and breaking seasonal patterns. - Lenovo, HP, and Dell lost 4.2 points of combined market share, with HP dropping from 19.1% to 16.5%. - IDC expects prices to remain elevated and warns of worsening macro conditions into 2027.

Timeline - Q3 2025: Worldwide PC shipments totaled 78.5 million units. - H1 2026: Vendors stockpiled inventory in anticipation of price hikes, borrowing volume from H2. - Q3 2026: PC shipments plummeted to 62.7 million units, a 20.1% year-over-year drop. - Late 2026 - 2027: IDC warns of potential further demand decline due to worsening economic conditions.

FAQ

Q: Why are PC shipments dropping so much? A: The memory and supply chain crisis, fueled by AI server demand, has driven up costs. Vendors also stockpiled inventory earlier in the year, leaving Q3 with less demand.

Q: Will PC prices go down soon? A: Probably not. While promotions may appear due to high inventory, IDC expects prices to remain well above last year's levels, with no significant relief in sight.

Q: Which PC brands are most affected? A: Lenovo, HP, and Dell saw the steepest declines, losing market share. HP was hit hardest, dropping from 19.1% to 16.5%. Apple and Asus also saw drops.