Explore the 3.2% growth in global PC shipments in Q1 2026, driven by AI infrastructure, Windows 10 support end, and consumer behavior shifts.
© A. Krivonosov
The global personal computer market showed moderate growth in the first quarter of 2026, despite ongoing economic risks. According to Counterpoint Research, shipments increased by 3.2% compared to the previous year, reaching 63.3 million devices. One key factor was a shift in buyer behavior, with consumers starting to purchase technology more proactively.
Analysts note that demand was fueled by expectations of rising memory and storage prices, linked to the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure. An additional incentive came from the approaching end of support for Windows 10, prompting users and companies to upgrade their devices earlier than planned. This created a short-term sales surge.
Against this backdrop, most major manufacturers managed to improve their performance. Lenovo remained the leader, strengthening its position and showing significant growth. Dell also increased shipments thanks to the corporate segment, while Apple demonstrated steady momentum due to new MacBook models. ASUS stood out particularly, significantly boosting sales driven by demand for consumer laptops.
However, experts warn that the current growth may be temporary. Rising component costs will gradually affect final prices, which could reduce demand in the coming quarters. Several analytical agencies are already revising forecasts downward, pointing to the risk of a noticeable market decline during 2026 as the effect of premature purchases wears off.