Rising costs trigger early upgrades as worldwide PC shipments grew 3.2% in Q1 2026, driven by pre-buying ahead of price hikes and system refresh cycles.
Global personal computer (PC) shipments increased 3.2 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 63.3 million units, according to preliminary data from Counterpoint Research, as buyers accelerated purchases ahead of expected component price rises and system upgrades linked to the end of Windows 10 support.
As per the data, demand was supported by concerns over rising memory costs and a refresh cycle driven by ageing devices. Memory prices nearly doubled during the quarter compared with the previous period, with further increases anticipated in the near term.
Among leading manufacturers, Lenovo retained its top position, with shipments rising 9 per cent to 16.5 million units and a market share of 26 per cent. Dell Technologies recorded an 8 per cent increase, supported by enterprise replacement demand, while Apple Inc. saw shipments grow 11 per cent to 6.7 million units, aided by new MacBook launches. ASUS posted the fastest growth at 20 per cent, driven by consumer notebook demand. In contrast, HP Inc. reported a 5 per cent decline.
The top five vendors accounted for nearly 80 per cent of global shipments, indicating continued market consolidation, while smaller manufacturers saw limited or negative growth.
Despite the quarterly increase, analysts expect pressure on shipments over the remainder of 2026. Rising costs of memory components such as DRAM and NAND, partly linked to increased investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, are likely to push up retail prices and dampen demand.
However, around 40 per cent of installed PCs still run on older operating systems, including Windows 10, suggesting continued demand for replacements. Analysts also point to emerging demand for AI-enabled devices, supported by new chipsets from companies including Qualcomm, Intel and AMD.
Counterpoint’s observers say 2026 will test manufacturers’ ability to manage supply chains and shift towards higher-margin product segments as market conditions remain volatile.
