PC shipments fall 4.9% in Q2 2026 as memory shortage hits

The global PC market has contracted for the first time in over two years, with shipments falling sharply in the second quarter of 2026 as a severe memory chip shortage drives up costs and dampens consumer demand. According to industry analysis, worldwide PC shipments declined by 4.9% year-over-year to 68.2 million units, ending a streak of nine consecutive quarters of growth.

The downturn is attributed primarily to a persistent shortage of memory chips, a crisis exacerbated by soaring demand from artificial intelligence data centers, which has redirected semiconductor manufacturing capacity away from consumer components. Analysts note the shortage is not expected to ease until early 2028. Additional pressures include supply issues with storage, rising component prices, and broader geopolitical tensions.

Despite the drop in units shipped, major PC manufacturers reported rising revenues, indicating that higher prices are being passed on to consumers faster than demand is falling. Jitesh Ubrani, research director for consumer devices at IDC, highlighted this disconnect, stating that vendors are pushing through price increases to maintain financial performance. He warned that...