Should you’re a {hardware} aficionado, or maintain an in depth eye on console costs, you’ve probably observed that the world RAM scarcity is driving up costs. That resulted in 3.2% year-over-year development for PC shipments in Q1 2026, as folks snapped up new computer systems earlier than issues get even worse.
International PC shipments hit 63.3 million items throughout the quarter, Counterpoint Analysis notes. The finish of Home windows 10 assist is one other issue, however PC distributors shouldn’t be celebrating simply but.
David Naranjo, Affiliate Director at Counterpoint Analysis, says, “these components are front-loading demand quite than signaling sustained development.” Naranjo thinks that, in 2026, supply-side pressures from DRAM and NAND pricing will proceed to negatively influence gross sales, and that “the refresh cycle alone won’t be sufficient to offset the anticipated decline.”
“Looking forward to 2027, easing reminiscence constraints mixed with the continued ramp of AI PCs ought to assist stabilize the market and assist a return to modest development,” he says.
Lenovo and Asus have been the plain winners in Q1 when it comes to PC gross sales. Asus recorded the most effective YoY development, surging 20% to achieve 4.8 million items, pushed by strong shopper pocket book demand. Lenovo retained its spot as market chief, with a 26% market share and the very best first-quarter efficiency on report. Its shipments rose 9% YoY in Q1 2026 to 16.5 million items. In the meantime, Apple’s shipments jumped 11% 12 months over 12 months, reaching 6.7 million items throughout the quarter amid shipments of its latest MacBooks.
HP didn’t carry out almost as nicely; it noticed a 5% YoY lower, although it was nonetheless the third hottest vendor total.
It might be a very long time till the headwinds affecting the RAM provide chain cease impacting the PC market. The chairman of SK Hynix, one of many world’s largest RAM suppliers, just lately predicted that the continuing reminiscence scarcity may truly final past 2028 and even persist into 2030.
Get Our Greatest Tales!
Your Every day Dose of Our High Tech Information
By clicking Signal Me Up, you affirm you’re 16+ and comply with our Phrases of Use and Privateness
Coverage.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep watch over your inbox!
About Our Skilled
Expertise
I’m a reporter overlaying weekend information. Earlier than becoming a member of PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC Information, The Guardian, The Occasions of London, The Every day Beast, Vice, Slate, Quick Firm, The Night Normal, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.
I’ve been a PC gamer because you needed to set up video games from a number of CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate concerning the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve coated all the pieces from crypto scandals to the artwork world, in addition to conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and overseas affairs.
