Technology / Global PC Shipments Rise 4% in Q1 2026, Apple Leads Growth
·9 hours ago·2 min read
Key Points
Worldwide PC shipments rose 4% year-on-year to 62.8 million units in Q1 2026, according to Gartner. While Lenovo retained leadership and HP held second place, Apple posted the fastest growth at 12.7%, fueled by strong demand for its MacBook Neo lineup, especially among new users and the education sector.
New Delhi, Apr 15: Worldwide PC shipments rose 4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 62.8 million units in the first quarter of 2026, according to a report released by Gartner. The growth, however, was described as “artificially inflated,” driven largely by vendors and channel partners stockpiling inventory ahead of anticipated component price hikes.
Rishi Padhi, Research Principal at Gartner, explained that the increase was not entirely reflective of real consumer demand. Instead, it was influenced by rising memory prices - commonly referred to as memflation - and higher costs of DRAM and NAND flash components. This trend was particularly visible in lower-margin PC segments.
The comparison base also played a role in the growth figures. The first quarter of 2025 had seen elevated shipments due to front-loading ahead of US tariffs, further distorting the year-on-year trend.
In terms of vendor performance, the top four global PC makers maintained their positions. Lenovo continued to lead worldwide shipments, while HP Inc. retained the second spot despite losing some market share. Dell Technologies recorded gains in market share during the quarter.
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Among the major vendors, Apple emerged as the fastest-growing player, posting a 12.7 per cent year-on-year increase in shipments. The growth was largely driven by strong demand for its MacBook Neo lineup, particularly among new users and the education segment. Padhi noted that Apple’s strategic positioning enabled it to attract cost-conscious consumers seeking high-performance devices, further strengthening its competitive advantage in the global PC market.
Meanwhile, ASUS overtook Acer to secure the fifth position in global vendor rankings during the quarter.
The report highlighted that while shipment growth in Q1 2026 appeared positive, the underlying demand remained cautious. With component costs expected to rise in the coming months, vendors are likely to face challenges in sustaining momentum.
Overall, the quarter reflected a mix of strategic stockpiling, competitive positioning, and selective consumer demand, underscoring the evolving dynamics of the global PC market.
Rishi Padhi, Research Principal at Gartner, explained that the increase was not entirely reflective of real consumer demand. Instead, it was influenced by rising memory prices - commonly referred to as memflation - and higher costs of DRAM and NAND flash components. This trend was particularly visible in lower-margin PC segments.
The comparison base also played a role in the growth figures. The first quarter of 2025 had seen elevated shipments due to front-loading ahead of US tariffs, further distorting the year-on-year trend.
In terms of vendor performance, the top four global PC makers maintained their positions. Lenovo continued to lead worldwide shipments, while HP Inc. retained the second spot despite losing some market share. Dell Technologies recorded gains in market share during the quarter.
Also Read: UPI Transaction Value Reached Rs 299.74 Lakh Crore In 2025; Merchant QR Codes Up 15% To 73 Crore
Among the major vendors, Apple emerged as the fastest-growing player, posting a 12.7 per cent year-on-year increase in shipments. The growth was largely driven by strong demand for its MacBook Neo lineup, particularly among new users and the education segment. Padhi noted that Apple’s strategic positioning enabled it to attract cost-conscious consumers seeking high-performance devices, further strengthening its competitive advantage in the global PC market.
Meanwhile, ASUS overtook Acer to secure the fifth position in global vendor rankings during the quarter.
The report highlighted that while shipment growth in Q1 2026 appeared positive, the underlying demand remained cautious. With component costs expected to rise in the coming months, vendors are likely to face challenges in sustaining momentum.
Overall, the quarter reflected a mix of strategic stockpiling, competitive positioning, and selective consumer demand, underscoring the evolving dynamics of the global PC market.
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