Apple's Mac shipments outpaced the PC market in the first quarter of 2026, but the growth reflects a mix of product timing and industry-wide pressure rather than a clean demand rebound. In the first quarter of 2026, global PC shipments hit 63.3 million units, marking a 3.2% increase compared to 2025 . The rise was driven by consumers and businesses rushing to buy PCs before anticipated memory price hikes. Additionally, the large number of existing Windows 10 systems prompted many to upgrade, affecting both the consumer and commercial sectors. Apple grew faster than that baseline, with Mac shipments increasing 11% to 6.7 million units. New MacBook models began shipping in March, concentrating sales into the quarter and lifting Apple's year-over-year comparison. In the first quarter of 2026, global PC shipments hit 63.3 million units, marking a 3.2% increase compared to 2025. Image credit: Counterpoint Research Early 2026 demand reflects structural distortions across the entire PC market.…