Memory crunch, supply constraints to drag down PC, tablet shipments

• Memory shortages will persist well into 2027, with only some price easing beginning in 2028 and no return to 2025 pricing levels

Global PC shipments are now expected to decline 11.3 per cent in 2026, a steep downgrade from IDC’s prior -2.4 per cent outlook in November 2025, as memory shortages, rising component prices, and broader supply constraints weigh on production well into 2027, according to the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.

Tablet shipments are forecast to fall 7.6 per cent this year.

IDC said the forecast predates the latest escalation in the Middle East conflict, adding further uncertainty for technology supply chains.

“The overall tech industry… continues to face uncontrollable headwinds,” said Ryan Reith, group vice president, Devices and Consumer, citing growing industry and geopolitical risks and “complete uncertainty around when these pressures will subside.”

Despite softer volumes, higher average selling prices are set to lift market value: PCs are projected to grow 1.6 per cent to $274 billion and tablets expanding 3.9 per cent to $66.8 billion in 2026. “The era of bargain-priced PCs and tablets is behind us for now,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers, adding that memory shortages will persist well into 2027, with only some price easing beginning in 2028 and no return to 2025 pricing levels.

IDC expects vendors to prioritise supply chain resilience, diversify component sourcing, and consider down-spec’ing to control costs while maintaining affordability, shaping end-user adoption in the years ahead.