Despite what I can only describe as one of the biggest dilemmas the PC industry has ever faced, global shipments of laptops and desktops increased in 2026.
As hardware costs continue to rise, forcing all brands to re-evaluate pricing, a New report from Counterpoint Research reveals that global PC shipments grew by 3.2% year after year in the first quarter of 2026.
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ASUS, which I consider one of the brands that has improved the most lately when it comes to hardware quality, saw the most growth in 20%. It was sent 4.8 million computers in the first quarter of 2026, although it remains in fifth place overall.
Lenovo, which has been the world’s largest PC manufacturer for years, continues to occupy first place with 9% growththat goes out to 16.5 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2026. Overall, it has a 26% global market share.
HP remains in second place despite a 5% year-on-year decreaseand Dell also maintains its place in third place with a modest 8% increase. Apple’s global shipments also grew 11%no doubt helped by Affordable MacBook Neo.
Weren’t PC sales supposed to decline in 2026?
I’ve been monitoring PC shipments and hardware prices since AI-RAMpocalypse boosted actually started in 2025, and there have been many warnings from analysts that rising costs will impact PC sales in 2026.
Unfortunately, the growth seen in the first quarter of 2026 is not actually a sign that PC sales have stabilized. As I mentioned earlier, it is more about the lasting effects caused by panic buying and users upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 PCs.
These factors are anticipating demand rather than signaling sustained growth. As we move into 2026, supply-side pressures from DRAM and NAND prices will continue to weigh on volumes, and the refresh cycle alone will not be enough to offset the expected decline.
David Naranjo, Associate Director, Counterpoint Research
It’s not all bad news, at least for the big PC brands. Counterpoint suggests that a combination of Windows 10 updates, interest in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 chipsand the demand for PC with AI using Intel and amd Hardware will help balance growth as we approach 2027.
As senior analyst Minsoo Kang noted, “The decline in the PC market is likely to be less pronounced compared to other consumer electronics segments.“
Doesn’t look good for smaller PC brands
The five companies at the top of Counterpoint’s lists send almost 80% of the world’s PCs. Counterpoint lumps other smaller brands into the same category. Overall, this section fell 7% year after year.
These data align with a IDC study I covered in January 2026who warned that “Smaller brands may not survive and consumers, particularly DIY enthusiasts, may delay their purchases or divert their spending to other devices or experiences.“
Market growth will ultimately depend on supply chains, says Counterpoint, as well as the ability to move away from “low-margin models to more sustainable mid-range and premium segments.“
Windows Central’s opinion
As someone deeply involved in the PC world, I hate seeing all the negative market predictions. The worst thing is the assumption that Entry-level PCs will all but disappear in the next year or two..
While I love testing more premium hardware, the reality is that most Windows users shop in the sub-$1,000 range.
If that market disappears completely, we’ll have a whole new conversation about how to keep your PC running even when it’s past its expiration date.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your ideas and discuss our latest news, reviews and more.
