Apple Set to Become Third-Biggest Laptop Maker This Year

Apple is reportedly set to become the third-largest laptop vendor by the end of 2026, according to market research firm Sigmaintell. Their projections indicate that Apple-made laptops will surpass the industry staple Dell, securing the third spot. This is a remarkable achievement for Apple, which will capture significant unit sales with its newly released, affordable MacBook Neo. According to the market research, the largest vendor by unit sales in 2026 is expected to be Lenovo with 43 million units, followed by HP with 39 million units. Apple is anticipated to sell 28 million MacBooks that year, an impressive number considering the firm sold about 23 million MacBooks in 2025.

The latest MacBook Neo is projected to sell around 10 million units, while the remaining 18 million units are expected to come from the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 14/16 variants. With its current product portfolio, Apple covers a wide range of market segments, from the entry-level $599 MacBook Neo (or $499 with a student discount) to mid-range offerings like the thin and light MacBook Air, and high-end options for professionals with the MacBook Pro lineup. By catering to every segment from entry-level to high-end, Apple enhances its market visibility and provides users with options to fit their budgets.

For the MacBook Pro, the firm notes that the Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) in Apple Silicon models offers better flexibility in sourcing and supply chain strategies. Additionally, it supports local AI inferencing and development for many enthusiasts and researchers using Apple machines for AI work, especially since software support was enabled early and continues to evolve. Unlike other laptop makers, Apple does not rely on AMD, Intel, or NVIDIA hardware for its laptops. While other manufacturers time their product releases around CPU/GPU updates, the Cupertino-based giant remains relatively independent in its decision-making process.