PC Shipments to Drop 12% in 2026 Amid Memory Shortages

Global PC shipments are projected to decline by approximately 12% in 2026, falling to roughly 245 million units. Research from Omdia and the International Data Corporation (IDC) attributes the downturn to acute shortages in memory and storage components, which are expected to drive component prices up by at least 60% in the first quarter of 2026. These shortages are anticipated to persist well into 2027.

The supply shock will disproportionately affect budget systems priced below $500, with shipments in that segment potentially plunging by 28%. Chrome devices are also expected to see a 28% decline, primarily due to their heavy use in the education sector. Conversely, premium systems priced above $900 and Apple's Mac line show more resilience, with Macs projected to decline by only 5%. In China, Huawei's HarmonyOS-based PCs represent a rare growth area, with forecasts predicting a tenfold expansion.

While shipment volumes are falling, the total market value is projected to rise slightly. IDC expects the PC market to grow 1.6% to $274 billion as higher average selling prices offset lower volumes. Analysts describe this shift as a new normal of structurally higher prices and softer long-term demand. Additional volatility is expected from geopolitical instability in the Middle East, which threatens international transportation and supply chain stability.