PC Shipments Hit the Buffers: AI Memory Demand

memory shortages will likely stunt PC shipments in 2026, as available supplies⁢ will not ⁢be able to meet demand thanks to memory ⁤makers chasing the ​lucrative AI infrastructure market ​instead.

Overall PC market performance in 2025 was healthy, according to research biz Omdia, but​ it‍ notes that memory and storage supply was already tightening, with associated upward price pressure emerging⁢ around​ the middle of ‍last year.

By‌ December, PC vendors were signaling their expectations of​ price increases, and this is dampening expectations for the volume of ⁤shipments during 2026.

“Between Q1 and Q4 ‍2025, mainstream​ PC memory⁢ and storage costs rose by 40 percent ⁣to 70 percent, resulting in cost increases ‍being passed through to customers,” said Omdia Principal Analyst Ben Yeh.

PC Shipments Expected to Rise 5% in​ 2026, ‍Constrained⁣ by Component Shortages

Worldwide PC shipments will likely increase by ⁢5% in ‍2026, according to a‍ new⁤ forecast from Counterpoint⁢ Research, ​but growth is heavily dependent on securing crucial memory and storage‌ components. Demand continues to outpace supply, creating a‌ challenging habitat‍ for manufacturers.

Counterpoint Research analyst Brady Yeh stated that manufacturers are prioritizing⁢ higher-margin products due ‍to limited component availability. ⁤”Given tight 2026 supply, the industry is emphasizing high-end SKUs and leaner mid- to​ low-tier configurations to ⁢protect margins,” Yeh said.

The report highlights that success in this market will depend on a vendor’s ability to secure components. According to Yeh, “Actual shipment performance will hinge‌ on vendors’ memory and storage procurement and negotiating leverage;⁤ beyond scale, their track records⁢ and ‌credibility‌ with suppliers will ⁤be a decisive factor in determining their success in navigating this period​ of ​complexity.”