Apple’s Mac shipments decline in the third quarter of 2026 while the company increases its share of the shrinking worldwide PC market, according to preliminary IDC estimates cited by multiple outlets. Mac shipments fall to about 5.9 million units from 6.7 million a year earlier, and Apple’s market share rises to 9.5% from 8.5%.
Across all PC brands, total shipments drop to about 62.7 million units from 78.5 million, a decline of 20.1%. One outlet notes that Windows shipments are also falling more sharply than Apple’s, framing the quarter as a relative win for Apple amid broader weakness. IDC points to earlier stocking ahead of higher memory costs, which leaves less inventory pressure later in the quarter.
IDC links the market downturn to rising component prices and supply pressures, including shortages tied to demand from AI data centers. Apple raised Mac prices in June, citing sharply rising memory costs. While some sellers may use discounts to move remaining stock, IDC does not expect prices to return to year-ago levels, and it warns that weaker economic conditions could further depress demand into late 2026 and 2027.
