IDC sees global PC sales rising slightly in the first quarter of 2026. Forecasts for the coming quarters remain bleak.
These are turbulent times in the PC industry. Prices for RAM, SSDs, and nearly all components are soaring to unprecedented heights. In the past quarter, PC manufacturers have not yet felt the full impact: IDC reports a 2.5% increase in global PC sales, with the EMEA region showing the strongest growth at 7.4%.
Ironically, high component prices may have contributed to the strong sales figures, according to IDC. Consumers and businesses tried to make their purchases this quarter before PC prices skyrocket. Manufacturers will likely only pass the costs on to their end customers starting next quarter. The end of Windows 10 support and traditional product announcements at the start of the year also played a role.
IDC is much less optimistic about the coming quarters, as the effect of expensive components trickles down to consumer devices. Manufacturers are hesitant to set prices for devices they plan to launch later this year. Analysts fear that unrest in the Middle East will only add extra volatility to an already fragile market. In North and South America, a dominant market for many PC brands, a negative trend is already visible.
Shifting dynamics
Lenovo strengthened its market leadership during the past quarter. The Chinese brand sold 8.6% more PCs, seeing its market share rise to 25%. Dell, Apple, and Asus also reported positive growth figures. The only top-five manufacturer to see its sales and market share decline was HP. HP will likely only be partially concerned, as the company now positions itself as much more than just a PC manufacturer in the market.
According to IDC, current market positions are far from set in stone. The manufacturer that handles the uncertainty best will come out on top. “The strength of every PC vendor’s supply chain will be put to the test,” concludes IDC analyst Jean-Philippe Bouchard.
