Global computer shipments in the third quarter of 2026 decreased by 21% year-on-year, to 57 million devices. By the end of the year, the decline could accelerate to 27% amid rising prices for memory and other components.
According to preliminary data from Counterpoint Research analysts, a year earlier manufacturers shipped 72.2 million computers. The rise in DRAM and NAND prices is partly due to manufacturing capacities being increasingly directed towards serving data centers and AI infrastructure. Manufacturers have to raise prices, reduce the specifications of budget models, or absorb additional costs themselves. According to Gartner analysts, by the end of 2026, the cost of DRAM and SSDs could increase by 130%, and average computer prices by 17% relative to 2025.
HP was hit the hardest: shipments fell by 31%, to 10.3 million devices. Dell saw a 25% decrease, and Lenovo – 23%. Apple reduced shipments by 11%, and ASUS by 7%.
In the fourth quarter, Counterpoint expects a 27% year-on-year drop in shipments. Even corporate purchases will not offset the decline in consumer demand: buyers are increasingly postponing hardware upgrades if their old computer is still working.
A quick market recovery is not expected in 2027 either. Although the rise in memory prices may slow down in the first half of the year, computer sales, according to Counterpoint's forecast, will remain approximately at the 2026 level.