The global PC market endured another difficult quarter, as shipment volumes dropped sharply amid weaker consumer demand and higher hardware costs. According to the latest industry data, vendors across the market felt the pressure, though a few brands managed to strengthen their positions despite the broader slowdown.
A new Counterpoint Research report showed that worldwide PC shipments reached 57 million units in the third quarter, covering the July to September period. That total marks a 21% year-on-year decline, with every major PC manufacturer recording lower shipment volumes compared to the same quarter last year.
The report points to increasing component prices as a key factor behind the downturn. Memory chips, particularly DRAM and NAND flash, have become more expensive, pushing up the cost of laptops. As a result, many consumers and businesses delayed upgrades or postponed new purchases, leading to softer demand across the market.
In terms of market share, Lenovo remained the leading PC vendor worldwide. The company shipped approximately 15 million units during the quarter, securing a 26.3% share of the global market. HP followed in second place with around 10.3 million shipments and an 18.1% share, while Dell ranked third with 7.6 million units and a 13.3% market share.
Apple stood out as one of the few vendors to expand its market share during the quarter. Its share rose to 9.8%, supported by continued interest in the MacBook Neo lineup. The company shipped an estimated 5.6 million laptops during the period, although that number still represented an 11% decline compared to the same quarter last year. Asus also gained ground, increasing its market share to 9.6% after shipping about 5.2 million units. The brand recorded a strong 19.4% increase compared to the previous quarter.
Looking forward, the outlook remains cautious. Counterpoint expects PC shipments to continue declining in the fourth quarter. One of the firm’s analysts projected that the market could contract by 27% by the end of the year, with only flat growth anticipated in 2027.
