In the event you’re a {hardware} aficionado, or maintaining a detailed eye on console costs, you’ve seemingly observed how the worldwide RAM scarcity is driving up {hardware} costs. World PC shipments grew 3.2% yr over yr in Q1 2026 to succeed in 63.3 million models, and pre-emptive shopping for forward of memory-led value will increase was one of many key elements driving the surge, in accordance with analyst home Counterpoint Analysis.
The analyst home additionally pointed to needed {hardware} refreshes brought on by the top of Home windows 10 assist, which occurred in October 2025 as one other issue driving gross sales. But it surely’s unlikely these developments will proceed, in accordance with Counterpoint’s analysts.
David Naranjo, Affiliate Director at Counterpoint Analysis, mentioned that “these elements are frontloading demand slightly than signaling sustained development.” Naranjo thinks that, in 2026, supply-side pressures from DRAM and NAND pricing will proceed to negatively impression gross sales, and that “the refresh cycle alone won’t be sufficient to offset the anticipated decline.”
“Waiting for 2027, easing reminiscence constraints mixed with the continued ramp of AI PCs ought to assist stabilize the market and assist a return to modest development,” mentioned Naranjo.
Lenovo and Asus had been the apparent winners in Q1 when it comes to PC gross sales. Asus recorded the most effective YoY development, surging 20% to succeed in 4.8 million models, pushed by stable client pocket book demand. Lenovo retained its spot as market chief, with a 26% market share and the very best first-quarter efficiency on file. Its shipments rose 9% YoY in Q1 2026 to 16.5 million models. In the meantime, Apple’s shipments jumped 11% yr over yr, reaching 6.7 million models throughout the quarter amid shipments of its latest MacBooks.
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HP didn’t carry out practically as effectively and noticed a 5% YoY lower, although it was nonetheless the third hottest vendor total.
It might be a very long time till the headwinds that are at the moment going through the RAM provide chain cease impacting the PC market. The chairman of SK Hynix, one of many world’s greatest RAM suppliers, lately predicted that the continued reminiscence scarcity might really final past 2028 and even persist into 2030.
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