I was focusing on global PC supply as part of it ongoing RAM crisis it’s been over a year and it seems component shortages have finally caught up with the markets.
Global PC supply It decreased by 4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026 according to a new study by Counterpoint Research. This reduction resulted in approx 65 million shipments for the quarter, ending a period of growth that has continued since then I quarter of 2025.
What does this report coincide with? IDC predicted a few weeks ago: global PC shipments will decline 11.3% for the whole year. In the same report, IDC analysts also predict that shipments may decline significantly in the 4th quarter 20% year after year.
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Why is the computer supply declining?
The culprit behind the decline in PC shipments is the same driving up tech prices across the board: Rising DRAM and NAND prices are largely driven by flash oversupply AI data centers around the world.
PC manufacturers basically had to make a choice increasing consumer prices and increased food component costsand most chose the former. Not surprisingly, computer shipments eventually began to decline.
Counterpoint notes that commercial computer buyers It proves to be the most stable with the ongoing migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Without this increase in PC sales, the overall picture will likely look worse.
ASUS won the most of all Windows PC manufacturers
ASUS certainly makes some best windows laptops lately, and I’m not at all surprised to see that it’s the only Windows PC maker to see an increase in global shipments.
improved by 4% YoY in Q2 2026Lenovo, Dell, HP and other brands have declined 9%. It’s worth noting that Apple had its best quarter yet, seeing an impressive increase in MacBook shipments. 13%. Its popularity budget MacBook Neo certainly has something to do with this number.
Counterpoint expects component prices to remain high throughout the period Second half of 2026. This is bad news for anyone looking for a budget PC, as more price hikes will follow as OEMs struggle to maintain margins.
Memory shortages are no longer just a short-term supply problem. It became a major factor in changing the direction of the PC industry. As OEMs face higher component costs, the market will shift towards premium AI PCs, as their better performance and on-device AI features make it easier to accept higher prices.
David Naranjo, Associate Director, Counterpoint Research
My best advice for anyone looking to buy a cheap Windows PC? Don’t do it. Just don’t do it. As I explained in my previous post The scope of the RAM crisisrelief on prices is not expected anytime soon … at least not before End of 2027.
If your current computer doesn’t look like it’s going to last a few more years of neat service, it might. Better to buy sooner rather than later despite inflated costs, is already hitting consumers.
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