PC shipments fall over 20% as memory chip shortages bite

· Tech

Global PC shipments fell 20.1 percent in the third quarter of 2026, the sharpest decline since early 2023, according to Ars Technica, with Tom's Hardware reporting a drop of 15.8 million units. Lenovo, HP and Dell were hit hardest. Memory chip manufacturers estimate the situation will not improve until 2028 or 2029, though Acer believes PC prices will decline by late 2027. The downturn is tied to component shortages, particularly memory, that have raised costs and constrained supply. One analysis warned the current decline "may be just the beginning of a new downward cycle," a sharp reversal for a market that had been recovering on AI-driven demand.

Why it matters：Memory shortages are now visibly curbing hardware demand, which could reshape pricing, vendor rankings and supply contracts across the PC and component industries into 2028.

Key points

  • Ars Technica reported a 20.1 percent year-on-year decline, the sharpest since Q1 2023.
  • Tom's Hardware put the drop at 15.8 million units, with Lenovo, HP and Dell worst hit.
  • Memory makers see no relief until 2028-2029, while Acer expects prices to fall by late 2027.

Sources (original reporting)

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