While the global personal computer market contracted for the first time in nearly two and a half years, Apple stood out as the clear winner. According to new data from IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, Apple shipped 6.7 million Macs in the second quarter of 2026, representing a robust 10.1% year-over-year increase and capturing 9.9% of the worldwide market.
The overall PC market told a different story. Worldwide shipments fell 4.9% year-over-year to 68.2 million units in Q2 2026 — the first decline after nine consecutive quarters of growth — as a persistent memory chip shortage and rising component costs weighed on demand.
Apple’s performance was particularly striking when compared to its rivals in the top five:
• Lenovo: 16.6 million units (24.4% share, -2.1% YoY)
• HP Inc.: 13.0 million units (19.1% share, -9.0% YoY)
• Dell Technologies: 9.3 million units (13.6% share, -5.0% YoY)
• Apple: 6.7 million units (9.9% share, +10.1% YoY)
• Asus: 5.0 million units (7.4% share, +0.2% YoY)
MacBook Neo Drives Momentum
IDC analysts directly linked Apple’s strong showing to the successful launch of the MacBook Neo, Apple’s most affordable Mac laptop ever, which began shipping in March 2026. The new entry-level model helped expand Apple’s reach to first-time Mac buyers and students while maintaining strong demand for higher-end MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.
“Apple’s share gain coincided with its latest product launch, the MacBook Neo,” said Jean Philippe Bouchard, vice president for consumer devices at IDC, in a statement. “While the company did raise prices in line with the broader market, it still remains well positioned against rivals facing the same cost pressures.”
Scale and Supply Chain Advantage
The results also underscore Apple’s structural advantages in the current environment. With its massive scale, long-standing supplier relationships, and diversified product portfolio (including iPhones and servers), Apple has been better able to secure critical components like memory chips compared to smaller competitors.
“As market conditions continue to worsen, the importance of supply chain management and capabilities are increasingly important,” Bouchard noted. “The largest vendors, with their buying power and long-standing supplier ties, are best positioned to take share from smaller rivals.”
What It Means for Apple
Apple’s Q2 performance demonstrates the company’s ability to grow even when broader PC demand softens. The combination of a compelling new affordable product (MacBook Neo), premium pricing power on higher-end models, and strong brand loyalty has allowed Apple to expand its footprint in the traditional PC market while many Windows PC makers struggled.
MacDailyNews Take: With memory shortages expected to persist and price pressure likely to continue into 2027, Apple appears well-positioned to maintain or even extend its gains in the second half of the year. For now, the message from the latest IDC numbers is clear: while the overall PC industry hit a speed bump in Q2 2026, Apple kept its foot on the accelerator.
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