Institution: Global PC Shipments to Decline 12% in 2026 Due to Memory and Storage Supply Challenges

According to the latest forecast from Omdia, global shipments of desktops, laptops, and workstations are expected to decline by 12% in 2026 to 245 million units. This forecast is primarily based on significant price increases for memory and storage. Since the first quarter of 2025, the cost of mainstream memory and storage configurations has risen by between $90 and $165, placing substantial financial pressure on PC manufacturers. This has forced them to reduce promotional activities, increase product prices, and adjust configurations. The impact is expected to be broadly similar across all PC product categories. Desktop shipments are projected to fall by 10% to 53.2 million units, while laptop shipments will drop by 12% to 192.2 million units.