Worldwide PC shipments fell 4.9% year over year to 68.2 million units in the second quarter of 2026, marking the first decline in two years after nine consecutive quarters of growth, according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) . The downturn is largely attributed to an AI-driven memory shortage that continues to disrupt the PC industry. IDC says the growing demand for memory chips used in AI infrastructure has reduced the supply of conventional memory for consumer devices, pushing up component costs and forcing PC makers to raise prices. The research firm expects the shortage to continue until 2028, with further price increases likely through 2027.

IDC says the growing demand for memory chips used in AI infrastructure has reduced the supply of conventional memory for consumer devices, pushing up component costs and forcing PC makers to raise prices. The research firm expects the shortage to continue until 2028, with further price increases likely through 2027.

Despite lower shipment volumes, PC manufacturers are generating more revenue as they pass rising component costs on to consumers.

“The real story here is the disconnect between units and dollars: shipments are falling, but revenue is climbing,” IDC researcher Jitesh Ubrani said. He added that vendors are preparing for additional price increases into 2027, while warning that higher prices could further weaken the traditional PC upgrade cycle later this year.

Apple was the only major PC vendor to post shipment growth during the quarter. The company shipped roughly 800,000 more PCs than it did during the same period in 2025, increasing its market share from 8.5% to nearly 10%, largely driven by strong demand for the MacBook Neo.

However, Apple has not escaped the impact of rising memory prices. The entry-level MacBook Neo has increased in price from $600 to $700, while the base MacBook Air now starts at $1,300.

Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company is also being affected by higher memory costs, noting that limited supply and rising prices are forcing manufacturers to increase prices for consumer products.

IDC expects the second half of 2026 to be even more challenging as inventories built before the price surge begin to run out. With memory supplies expected to remain tight, consumers could face even higher PC prices and fewer affordable options before the market stabilizes.

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