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Windows Central
Windows Central
Technology
Sean Endicott

PC shipments plunged in early 2026 and IDC warns the worst is still ahead for the global PC market

IDC Memory Apple Jitesh Ubrani
Laptop displaying vibrant, swirling abstract art in pink, blue, and yellow hues. It rests on a wooden table with bookshelves in the background.

PC shipments have been down this year, and it looks like the market will drop even more over the coming months. IDC predicts that global PC shipments will decline 11.3 percent for the full year with things getting progressively worse. IDC's analysts expect shipments in Q4 to be down 20 percent year-over-year.

The ongoing memory shortage is the biggest factor affecting PC shipments, according to IDC, though the market is complex. RAM shortages have driven up PC prices, such as flagship Surface PCs now costing $500 more than they did at launch.

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