The global personal computer market has recorded its first contraction in more than two years, according to newly released data. Research from the International Data Corporation shows that PC shipments fell to 68.2 million units in the second quarter of 2026, a decline of nearly five percent compared to the same period last year. The downturn snaps a sequence of nine consecutive quarters of expansion.
Memory chip shortage drives the reversal
Analysts point squarely to the prolonged shortage of memory chips and the resulting surge in component costs as the primary cause of the shipment decline. The supply constraints are now widely expected to persist until early 2028, continuing to place pressure on production volumes across the industry. As available inventory tightens, the IDC forecasts that shipment figures will likely slide further in the months ahead as consumers encounter additional price increases.
Despite the drop in unit volumes, the financial picture for PC vendors remains resilient. The IDC notes that manufacturers are successfully boosting revenue by passing higher component costs on to buyers at a pace that outstrips the erosion of demand. In effect, end users are absorbing the financial impact of the memory crisis through elevated retail prices.
Consolidation intensifies among top-tier brands
A parallel shift toward greater vendor consolidation is becoming more pronounced. Major players, including Apple, Dell, and Lenovo, are using their dominance across adjacent device categories—such as smartphones and enterprise servers—to secure preferential access to memory supply. This dynamic is making it increasingly difficult for smaller competitors to maintain their footing. The IDC assessment highlights Apple’s particularly strong position, built on extensive purchasing power and deep, long-established supplier relationships.
Apple bucks the downward trend
The figures show Apple registering shipment growth even as the wider market contracts. During the same quarter that saw the introduction of the MacBook Neo, the company increased its PC shipments by 800,000 units over the prior-year period. That gain lifted Apple’s share of the market from 8.5 percent to nearly 10 percent. Still, virtually none of the company’s product lines remain insulated from the memory squeeze, and price increases are forecast to extend across its iPhone, iPad, and Mac portfolios.
Source: www.idc.com