PC Gamer noticed that IDC Research has a new report for Q3 of 2026 showing that global PC shipments are down 20.1% compared to the same quarter last year, dropping from 78.5 million units to 62.7 million. Another analyst firm, TrendForce, also produced a report ( flagged by Wccftech ) observing that the rising cost of those components threatens to weaken the demand for notebooks in 2027.
What happened
PC Gamer noticed that IDC Research has a new report for Q3 of 2026 showing that global PC shipments are down 20. 1% compared to the same quarter last year, dropping from 78. 5 million units to 62. 7 million.
Where the sources line up
Another analyst firm, TrendForce, also produced a report ( flagged by Wccftech ) observing that the rising cost of those components threatens to weaken the demand for notebooks in 2027.
Practical impact for readers
TrendForce claims that: "Global notebook shipments are currently projected to decline by a low-single-digit percentage in 2027.
Who should pay attention now
The RAMpocalypse has led global PC shipments to drop 20 percent in just 12 months Budget GPUs could get pricier — and gaming monitors might be hiked too Rumor suggests big GPU price hikes are coming — so should you buy now? However, the firm cautions that if RAM and CPU prices stay high (which seems almost inevitable), notebook makers "may be forced to pass more of these costs on to consumers", with high retail prices meaning fewer consumers buy new laptops – potentially pushing the drop in notebook sales to high single digits.
What is still unclear
So, we could be looking at a near 10% drop in laptop sales next year, on top of an already gloomy picture and flagging sales for PCs as seen currently.
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