PC Shipments Fell 20.1% in Q3 2026 as 2027 Notebook Outlook Darkens

Global PC shipments fell 20.1% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, dropping from 78.5 million units to 62.7 million, according to an IDC report cited by PC Gamer. The source attributes the decline to rising prices for RAM and other PC components.

TrendForce projects that global notebook shipments will decline by a low single-digit percentage in 2027. It warns that if RAM and CPU prices remain high, manufacturers may pass more costs on to consumers. Higher retail prices could further weaken demand and push the decline in notebook sales into the high single digits.

In a typical mid-to-upper-range notebook priced at $900, the CPU, RAM and SSD account for 68% of the bill of materials, TrendForce says. The source also says some buyers brought purchases forward in 2026 amid expected price increases, while manufacturers are using up components bought at lower prices.

IDC expects PC prices to remain elevated and says the outlook for the next few quarters could worsen before improving. It also sees the possibility of promotions offering short-term relief, while cautioning that prices are unlikely to return to their level a year earlier.