• Gartner claims PC shipments were up 4% year-over-year, but price hikes continue to taint consumer demand
• Apple's success with the MacBook Neo saw shipments and market share rise
• 2026 could see a sharp decline in the number of PCs sold

New data from Gartner has claimed PC shipments continued to rise in the first quarter of 2026, albeit by a relatively small 4% year-over-year margin.

However, it might not quite be the growth companies were hoping for, with demand dwindling as a result of continually rising costs caused by memory and chip shortages.

Instead, Gartner suggests it might have been inventory build-ups behind the rise, with companies anticipating further price hikes in Q2 2026.

PC shipments rise, but maybe as a result of stockpiling

Among the manufacturers monitored, Apple saw the bigger year-over-year growth of 12.7%, which Gartner credits with impressive demand for the MacBook Neo among education buyers and new Mac users.

"This strategic positioning enabled Apple to attract cost-conscious consumers seeking high-performance devices, further solidifying its competitive advantage in the segment," Research Principal Rishi Padhi commented.

Apple CEO Tim Cook declared the "best launch week ever for first-time Mac customers," with many sources now pointing at Apple having increased 2026 production capacity to 10 million Neo devices to keep up with demand.

Apple held 10.6% of the worldwide PC market in Q1 2026, up from 9.8% in Q1 2025.

Asus saw a similarly impressive 10.8% growth, with Lenovo not far behind at 9.5%. Dell and Acer complete the list with 7.6% and 3.9% respectively, before it turns south. HP actually sold 4.9% fewer devices, with all other manufacturers bundled into 'others', down 4.6%.

Looking ahead and with costs continuing to rise, separate data from Omdia predicts that the global PC market could shrink as much as 12% in 2026.

"For lower-priced products, there is less margin room to absorb rising costs, and consumers in this segment are typically more sensitive to price fluctuations," Principal Analyst Ben Yeh added.

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With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!