Global shipments of desktops and notebooks are projected to decline by 12% to 245 million units in 2026, according to a report by Omdia. This significant downturn is primarily driven by a massive surge in the cost of essential components, specifically DRAM and NAND storage. Analysts expect memory and storage prices to spike by at least 60% in the first quarter of 2026 alone. These upward price pressures are expected to persist throughout the year, stemming from supply chain challenges that began in early 2025. The rising hardware production costs are likely to dampen consumer demand and squeeze margins for major manufacturers like HP, Dell, and Apple. While memory suppliers may benefit from higher pricing, the overall impact on the hardware sector remains bearish due to lower unit volumes.
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