The computer market just faced one of its grimmest periods in recent memory. IDC analysts estimate PC shipments fell 4.9 percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, representing the first decline in over two years — although one company remained unscathed.
The plunge was largely driven by a “persistent memory chip shortage” along with storage shortfalls and political problems, according to researchers. Revenue is growing mainly because companies are raising prices more quickly than demand is falling. Many PC brands snapped up inventory far in advance to avoid these price increases.
Brand
Apple
Operating System
macOS
The largest Windows PC makers were often the hardest hit, IDC says. Market leader Lenovo fell 2.1 percent, while HP shipments fell a staggering 9 percent. Dell dropped by 5 percent, while ASUS barely held its ground with an 0.2 percent increase.
The one exception was Apple. Its shipments climbed 10.1 percent in Q2, giving it 9.9 percent market share and closing the gap with its closest rival, Dell (flat at 13.6 percent share).
Why did Apple gain market share?
The MacBook Neo played a key role
IDC believes Apple bucked the PC industry’s downward trend for one main reason: the MacBook Neo. Its first budget laptop is built for an audience the company has never reached before, and shipments reflected that strong demand.
The Neo launched at $599, well below the MacBook Air’s typical $999-plus starting point, but preserves much of the company’s design. That’s helped by the use of an iPhone chip that matches or exceeds the M1 in performance, but with much less energy drain. That lets Apple keep costs down (such as using a small battery) without as many compromises as some rivals.
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Dell’s new, redesigned XPS 13 is built to beat the MacBook Neo
It’s lighter, faster, and offers a touchscreen.
Apple did have to raise prices in June, including a $100 hike for the MacBook Neo. Even so, the brand is still “well positioned against rivals facing the same cost pressures,” according to IDC consumer devices VP Jean Philippe Bouchard. In other words, Windows competitors have had to raise prices as well — the Neo is still a relative bargain.
The future looks bleak
Don’t expect the situation to get better soon. IDC doesn’t expect memory shortages and other issues to let up until early 2028, and manufacturers are expecting more price jumps in 2027. You might still want to buy a PC now, if just because the pricing could get worse in the next year.
The second half of 2026 could be worse than the first. Companies aren’t stocking up like they did before, so IDC expects a “sharp slowdown” in growth over the last six months of the year.
There’s also a concern tech giants could “squeeze out” rivals, IDC adds. Heavyweights like Apple, Dell, and Lenovo can use their clout in other areas (such as phones and servers) to buy memory in volumes that smaller companies can’t match. Your favorite ‘indie’ PC brand might struggle as it either charges more or has to limit the products it sells.
