Global personal computer shipments grew 2.5% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 65.6 million units, according to preliminary data from research firm IDC.
The modest increase comes despite weakening macroeconomic conditions and ongoing memory supply shortages. IDC said the growth was driven mainly by anticipation of rising component prices, continued migration from Windows 10, and new product launches from PC vendors.
“As expected, 2026 will be characterized by market share shifts,” said Jean Philippe Bouchard, research vice-president with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers.
“The strength of every PC vendor’s supply chain and ability to access core components, such as memory, will be tested. IDC believes that demand will be met by PC vendors who have best secured access to memory and with a device portfolio capable of addressing all price tiers of the market.”
Despite the positive growth in the first quarter, IDC noted that supply constraints and worsening economic conditions are already beginning to slow the market. The firm observed declining growth trends across all regions.
IDC expects global PC shipments to decline further over the remainder of the year as system prices rise.
“The Middle East conflict has injected a fresh layer of volatility into a fragile computing devices market, straining global logistics through a double-edged sword of rising energy costs and freight spikes,” said Isaac Ngatia, senior research analyst at IDC Devices Research.
“On one hand, sea corridors continue to face ongoing disruption, especially ones connecting Asia and EMEA, on the other, pivoting to air freight has become more expensive. Ultimately, these premiums are trickling down the value chain, intensifying the pricing pressure of PCs on the end-users.”
