Laptop Market 2026: Prices Up, Shipments Down. Why HP and Acer Are the Brands to Stock Before Black Friday

Global PC shipments fell 22.4% year over year to 55.4 million units in Q3 2026, according to Gartner, as a memory shortage driven by AI data centers pushed laptop prices sharply higher. HP held the No. 2 spot worldwide despite the steepest drop among the big vendors, while Acer outperformed the market and grew its share to 7%. For resellers, the message is simple: fewer low-cost laptops are being built, prices won't return to 2025 levels any time soon, and the units you secure now are the ones you'll sell through the holidays.

This isn't a typical slow quarter. Shipments dropped because laptops got more expensive to build, not because nobody wants them. Below is the practical breakdown: what the latest market data says, where HP and Acer stand, what's happening to prices, and exactly what to stock before Black Friday. Browse available laptops and secure your stock here.

What's happening in the laptop market right now?

Both major trackers point the same way. Gartner counted 55.4 million PCs shipped in Q3 2026, down 22.4% and back to volumes last seen in early 2023. IDC's preliminary count was 62.7 million units, down 20.1% year over year and 9.1% below Q2. Every one of the top six vendors shipped fewer units than a year earlier.

The cause is memory. AI data centers are absorbing a growing share of global DRAM and storage output, and Gartner reports DRAM costs rose roughly five times year over year in Q2. PC makers passed those costs on, prioritized scarce components for higher-priced configurations, and left fewer entry-level laptops on the market.

It also explains why the first half of the year looked strong. Notebook shipments actually grew 5% to 51.4 million units in Q1 2026 (TechInsights) as buyers and channels pulled purchases forward ahead of expected price hikes — part of why Q3 came in so weak.

Q3 2026 PC market share: who's leading

Source: Gartner preliminary estimates, October 2026. Includes desktops and notebooks shipped into channels.

HP: the volume brand still sitting at No. 2

HP shipped about 10.4 million PCs in Q3 2026 and kept its No. 2 position worldwide, even though its shipments fell 30.9%, the steepest decline among the top vendors. Coming off a strong 2025, when HP shipped more than 57 million PCs, part of that drop reflects how much inventory moved earlier in the year.

HP has been unusually open about the cost pressure: the company told investors that memory and storage now account for roughly 35% of a PC's component cost, up from about 15–18% a few quarters earlier, and that it would pass increases through to customers. It has also warned the memory crunch could extend into 2027.

Why it matters: HP is one of the most recognized laptop brands in both consumer and business channels, from everyday HP 14 and OmniBook models to ProBook and EliteBook for corporate buyers. The brand sells itself; what's scarce is stock at the right price.

Acer: the brand that gained share in a falling market

Acer shipped about 3.9 million units in Q3 2026. Shipments were down 11.2% — half the rate of the overall market — so Acer's global share actually rose from 6.1% to 7.0%. Along with Apple and ASUS, it was one of the vendors that beat the industry average.

Acer hasn't escaped the memory squeeze. Its CEO said earlier this year that memory and storage prices had jumped 50% to 100%, and the company flagged price increases of roughly 10–20% on some systems, starting with its Predator gaming line in Japan in February.

Why it matters: Acer's strength is value across price tiers, from Aspire Go everyday laptops and Swift thin-and-lights to Nitro and Predator gaming notebooks. With Gartner warning that sub-$600 laptops are getting hard to build without compromises, a brand that still competes on value is exactly what price-sensitive buyers will look for this season.

Laptop prices in 2026: what buyers are paying

Several brands, including Dell, Lenovo, Acer and ASUS, have raised laptop prices by around 15–30%, which can push a mid-range model that used to sell around $900 past $1,200. Gartner expects PC prices to rise about 17% on average this year. Two other shifts are worth watching:

• Spec downgrades at the entry level. 8 GB laptops are coming back in place of 16 GB as makers try to hold price points.
• A tilt toward premium configurations. With limited memory, vendors are prioritizing higher-margin commercial and premium models, shrinking the supply of budget laptops.

IDC notes that excess channel inventory could trigger some short-term promotions, but it doesn't expect pricing to come anywhere close to last year's levels. A holiday deal is possible; a return to 2025 pricing is not.

What resellers should stock for Q4 2026

Treat laptops as a category play, not a single SKU. The buyers coming through your channel are building a setup:

• Everyday laptops: HP 14, HP OmniBook and Acer Aspire Go — the volume movers for students, families and home office.
• Business notebooks: HP ProBook and EliteBook for SMB and corporate refresh orders that can't wait for prices to fall.
• Gaming laptops: Acer Nitro and Predator, timed with the biggest gaming holiday in years.
• Accessories: mice, keyboards, bags and docks add margin to every laptop order.
• Monitors: a natural upsell for remote workers and gamers alike.

Why this market matters for resellers

Secure stock before the holiday rush. Black Friday lands on November 27, but the ordering window closes weeks earlier. With vendors prioritizing scarce components, the reseller who has HP and Acer units on hand is the one still selling in late November.

Sell the mid-range. Entry-level supply is thinning and premium models are getting pricier. Well-specced mid-range laptops from trusted brands are where demand and availability meet.

Bundle the setup. Don't sell a laptop in isolation. Pair it with a mouse, bag, monitor or dock so one order carries several margin lines.

At Distritech, that's the point of sourcing with a partner instead of a generic desk: global access to top-tier brands, a platform that quotes in real time, and a team that helps you plan around supply shifts. Every drop, every restock, first.

Frequently asked questions

Why are laptop prices going up in 2026?

Memory and storage costs have surged as AI data centers absorb a growing share of global supply. Gartner reports DRAM costs rose about five times year over year in Q2 2026, and PC makers have passed those costs on to buyers.

Which brands lead the laptop market in 2026?

In Q3 2026, Lenovo led with 27.1% of global PC shipments, followed by HP (18.7%), Dell, Apple, ASUS and Acer (7.0%), according to Gartner.

Is it a good time to buy laptops for resale?

Analysts expect prices to stay elevated into 2027, with only short-term promotions possible. Buying mid-range stock ahead of Q4 helps resellers avoid both further price hikes and holiday shortages.

Will laptop prices drop after the holidays?

Unlikely in any meaningful way. IDC expects prices to stay well above year-ago levels, and HP has warned the memory shortage could last into 2027.

Can I buy HP and Acer laptops wholesale?

Yes. Distritech sources HP, Acer and other top laptop brands for B2B resellers, with real-time availability and clear ETAs. Request a quote or explore the laptop catalog.