Hewlett Packard, Dell have a PC price problem that’s hitting customers hard
Worldwide personal computer shipments dropped 20.1 percent to 62.7 million units in the third quarter of 2026. Major manufacturers Hewlett Packard and Dell took severe hits, with shipments falling 30.9 percent and 25 percent respectively. Analysts report that unsold systems are piling up as a pull-in hangover and memory-driven price hikes collide with weak demand. Customers are shifting their buying behavior ahead of the holiday shopping season as elevated prices persist across the market.
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- ✓ Worldwide PC shipments fell 20.1 percent in the third quarter of 2026 to 62.7 million units.
- ✓ Hewlett Packard and Dell experienced shipment drops of 30.9 percent and 25 percent respectively.
- ✓ The market downturn is attributed to a pull-in hangover, memory-driven price hikes, and weak demand.
What changed
IDC published data showing Q3 2026 global personal computer shipments plummeted 20.1 percent, marking the steepest contraction since the first quarter of 2023.
Live updates
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PC Shipments Fall 20.1 Percent in Q3 2026 as HP and Dell Suffer
Worldwide personal computer shipments dropped 20.1 percent to 62.7 million units in the third quarter of 2026. Major manufacturers Hewlett Packard and Dell took severe hits, with shipments falling 30.9 percent and 25 percent respectively. Analysts report that unsold systems are piling up as a pull-in hangover and memory-driven price hikes collide with weak demand. Customers are shifting their buying behavior ahead of the holiday shopping season as elevated prices persist across the market.
Why it matters
The sharpest shipment decline since early 2023 reflects a broad market crash driven by economic instability and supply constraints. Industry trackers note that high prices are expected to remain elevated until the end of 2027. This downturn follows previous periods of inventory pull-in that left manufacturers struggling with excess unsold stock.
What is confirmed
- Worldwide PC shipments fell 20.1 percent in the third quarter of 2026 to 62.7 million units.
- Hewlett Packard and Dell experienced shipment drops of 30.9 percent and 25 percent respectively.
- The market downturn is attributed to a pull-in hangover, memory-driven price hikes, and weak demand.
Still unconfirmed
- PC prices are projected to remain elevated until the end of 2027 due to economic instability and memory costs.
What to watch next
- Holiday shopping season sales figures for personal computers
- Manufacturer inventory adjustments and pricing strategies into 2027
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (13)
- Ars Technica — PC shipments fall 20.1 percent in “sharpest decline” since Q1 2023
- How-To Geek — The PC market just crashed as unsold systems pile up
- TheStreet — Hewlett Packard, Dell have a PC problem
- TechPowerUp — PC Shipments Drop 20.1% in Q3 2026, HP and Dell Hit Hardest
- Engadget — IDC: Worldwide PC Shipments In Q3 Fell 20 Percent From Last Year
- finance.yahoo.com — Hewlett Packard, Dell have a PC problem
- wccftech.com — PC Shipments Fell 20.1% In Q3 2026 As Pull-In Hangover And ...
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