I’ve been keeping an eye on global PC shipments as part of the ongoing RAM crisis for over a year now, and it seems that the component shortage has finally reached the markets.
Global PC Shipping fell 4% year over year in the second quarter of 2026 according to a new study by Counterpoint research. That drop resulted in approximately 65 million shipments for the quarter, ending a streak of growth that had continued since First quarter of 2025.
This report is aligned with what IDC predicted a few weeks ago: that global PC shipments will decrease by 11.3% for the full year. In the same report, IDC analysts also predict that fourth-quarter shipments could fall sharply. 20% year after year.
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Why are PC shipments falling?
The culprit for the drop in PC shipments is the same as the driving up technology prices seemingly across the board– Skyrocketing DRAM and NAND prices, driven largely by the sudden glut of AI data centers around the world.
PC makers have basically had to choose between increasing consumer prices and eat high component costsand the majority have chosen the former. It’s no surprise that PC shipments have finally started to decline.
The counterpoint points out that commercial PC buyers are proving to be the most resilient, helped by the ongoing migration of Windows 11 from Windows 10. Without this increase in PC sales, the overall picture would likely be much worse.
ASUS got the most out of all Windows PC makers
Without a doubt, ASUS has been producing some of the best Windows laptops lately, and I’m not too surprised to see it’s the only Windows PC manufacturer to see an increase in global shipments.
Improved by 4% year over year in Q2 2026as Lenovo, Dell, HP and other brands fell to 9%. It’s worth noting that Apple had the best quarter ever, as its MacBook shipments increased by an impressive 13%. The popularity of his Budget MacBook Neo It certainly has something to do with that number.
Counterpoint expects component prices to remain elevated throughout the year. second half of 2026. That’s bad news for anyone looking for cheap PCs, as there are likely to be more price increases as OEMs fight to maintain margins.
Memory shortages are no longer just a short-term supply issue. It has become a key factor changing the direction of the PC industry. As OEMs face higher component costs, the market will shift toward premium AI PCs, as their better performance and on-device AI features make higher prices easier to accept.
David Naranjo, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research
My best advice for anyone looking for a cheap Windows PC? No. Just don’t do it. As I explained in my previous RAM Crisis Coverageno relief in prices is expected in the short term… at least not before end of 2027.
If your current PC doesn’t look like it’s going to stand up to a couple more years of diligent service, it could be better to buy sooner rather than later despite the inflated costs already affecting consumers.
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