MacBook Neo Helps Apple Gain PC Share as Global Market Contracts

Apple increased its share of worldwide personal-computer shipments in the third quarter of 2026 despite a decline in its own Mac shipments. Counterpoint Research’s preliminary estimate puts Apple’s shipments at 5.6 million units, down 11% from a year earlier.

Global PC shipments fell 21% to 57 million units. Because the overall market contracted faster, Apple’s share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%.

MacBook Neo supports Apple’s result

Counterpoint identified the MacBook Neo as one of the key contributors to Apple’s resilience during the downturn. Apple remained the fourth-largest PC vendor by shipments.

Lenovo led the market with a 26.3% share, followed by HP at 18.1% and Dell at 13.3%. Their shipments declined 23%, 31% and 25%, respectively.

ASUS ranked fifth and was the only vendor among the top five to post a smaller annual decline than Apple. Its shipments fell 7%, giving it a 9.2% share.

Higher costs delay PC replacements

Counterpoint said higher memory and component costs have pushed up computer prices. Consumers have therefore postponed replacements, although business fleet upgrades and Windows migrations provided some support for demand.

The research firm expects global PC shipments to fall 27% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2026. Its 2027 forecast calls for broadly flat shipment volumes compared with 2026.