RAM Crunch Dents PC Sales Growth as Global Shipments Slide in Q2 2026
Global PC shipments fell 4% year-over-year to about 65 million in Q2 2026, ending a growth streak dating to early 2025, as elevated DRAM/NAND prices driven by AI data-center demand squeeze margins; Counterpoint Research and IDC foresee further declines for 2026 (about 11.3% full-year drop, with Q4 down as much as 20%). ASUS was the sole major brand to grow (+4%), while Lenovo, Dell, and HP dropped up to 9% and Apple’s MacBook shipments rose 13% on the strength of the budget MacBook Neo. Analysts say the RAM shortage is pushing the market toward premium AI PCs and relief isn’t expected before 2027, prompting some buyers with aging PCs to upgrade sooner.
