The global personal computing (PC) device market is expected to face significant pressure in 2026 as supply chain challenges and memory shortages disrupt production, IDC report said.
According to the latest forecast from International Data Corporation (IDC), worldwide PC shipments are projected to decline 11.3 percent in 2026, a sharp downgrade from the earlier forecast of a 2.4 percent decline issued in November 2025.
Tablet shipments are expected to contract, with IDC predicting a 7.6 percent drop in 2026. The revised outlook reflects worsening supply constraints, rising component costs, and continued disruptions across the global semiconductor ecosystem.
2026 Outlook: Supply Constraints to Dominate the PC Market
Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers, said memory shortages will remain a major bottleneck for device manufacturers throughout 2026 and potentially into 2027. Limited availability of key components combined with increasing prices is expected to slow production capacity across the PC and tablet sectors.
These supply disruptions are being compounded by broader global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges affecting technology supply chains worldwide. The ongoing volatility is making forecasting and planning increasingly difficult for hardware vendors and technology suppliers.
Higher Device Prices Expected to Offset Shipment Declines
Despite the expected decline in unit shipments, the total market value for PCs and tablets is forecast to grow in 2026 due to rising average selling prices.
IDC estimates that the PC market will expand 1.6 percent in value to reach approximately $274 billion in 2026, while the tablet market is projected to grow 3.9 percent to about $66.8 billion.
Higher component prices, particularly for memory, are pushing manufacturers to raise device prices, effectively ending the era of low-cost PCs and tablets that characterized the market in previous years.
Structural Market Shift Toward Higher Pricing
Industry analysts expect the pricing environment for computing devices to remain elevated for several years. Memory supply shortages are forecast to persist until at least 2027, while price normalization is unlikely before 2028.
This shift is creating what IDC describes as a “new normal” for the PC and tablet industry, where higher hardware costs and elevated average selling prices will influence consumer demand and purchasing cycles.
Vendors Focus on Supply Chain Resilience
To adapt to these market conditions, PC and tablet vendors are expected to adopt new strategies focused on improving supply chain resilience and cost management.
These strategies include:
Diversifying component sourcing across multiple suppliers
Strengthening supply chain risk management
Designing devices with flexible hardware configurations
Introducing lower-specification models to maintain affordability
Such approaches could help manufacturers manage production challenges while continuing to meet demand across enterprise, education, and consumer segments.
Long-Term Market Impact
The developments expected in 2026 could reshape the global personal computing market for years to come. With persistent supply constraints and rising production costs, device makers may need to balance innovation with affordability while navigating an uncertain global economic and geopolitical environment. While shipment volumes may decline in the near term, higher device prices and strategic supply chain adjustments are likely to redefine the economics of the PC and tablet market throughout the remainder of the decade.
RAJANI BABURAJAN
