Fresh evidence from independent researchers confirms the first drop in PC shipments in over a year… and it’s only going to get worse
Global PC shipments have declined for the first time in over a year, with research from Counterpoint confirming a 4% drop in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This finding corroborates earlier reports from IDC, signaling a significant shift in the PC market after an extended period of growth.
The decline is primarily driven by the ongoing memory crisis, with soaring DRAM prices substantially increasing component costs. These rising expenses are forcing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to implement price increases across their product lines while simultaneously reducing entry-level PC configurations to manage costs. The squeeze on PC bill-of-material (BoM) costs creates a dual dampening effect—limiting consumer demand through higher retail prices while constraining OEM production plans.
Despite these headwinds, some demand drivers persist. Commercial refresh cycles tied to Windows migration and growing adoption of AI-enabled PCs continue to provide market support, though these factors have proven insufficient to offset elevated component costs and consumer price sensitivity.
Analysts project further challenges ahead as memory prices remain elevated and OEMs navigate the difficult balance between maintaining production levels and managing profitability amid constrained consumer budgets.