Global PC sales decline in Q2 2026, marking the first drop after nine quarters of growth
Global PC shipments have dipped for the first time in over two years, breaking a nine-quarter growth streak amid shifting supply chain priorities.
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The brief
Global PC shipments recorded a decline during the second quarter of 2026. This drop ends a period of nine consecutive quarters of growth that began in early 2025. While the broader market contracted, Apple maintained positive performance, with reports citing the MacBook Neo as a specific factor in defying the trend.
Coverage from Windows Central, Counterpoint Research, and AppleInsider highlights that a memory shortage is currently pressuring consumer access to hardware. Tech Times and Electronics Weekly emphasize that the supply chain is being skewed by various factors, including politics, tariffs, and a prioritization of AI chip imports over traditional consumer electronics like PCs and phones. Market observers are monitoring how long memory shortages will persist and what effect these supply imbalances will have on future consumer availability.
Coverage does not yet specify when the current constraints on non-AI hardware components might be resolved.
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Quick answers
How long had the PC market been growing before this decline?
The market experienced nine quarters of growth starting from Q1 2025.
What is impacting the supply of consumer PCs?
Coverage points to a memory shortage, alongside the influence of politics, tariffs, and increased prioritization of AI chip imports.
Did all PC manufacturers experience a decline?
No, Apple is noted as having defied the global slump due to the MacBook Neo.
Coverage (5)
- AI Chip Imports Eclipse PC and Phone Shipments as Memory Shortage Squeezes Consumers Tech Times · 23h ago
- Politics, shortages, tariffs and AI skew end markets Electronics Weekly · 23h ago
- Memory Crunch Ends PC Recovery as Global Shipments Decline for First Time Since Q1 2025 Counterpoint Research · 23h ago
- Apple defied a global PC sales slump in Q2 2026 thanks to MacBook Neo AppleInsider · 23h ago
- Global PC sales decline in Q2 2026, marking the first drop after nine quarters of growth Windows Central · 23h ago
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