The computer market is expected to face challenges in 2026. IDC's estimate (International Data Corporation) is that PC sales will fall until 9% throughout the year, motivated by the global shortage of RAM memories. According to forecasts, the reduction may range between 5% e 9%. Even so, This is a very significant percentage compared to the previous year.
Em 2025, this same estimate for the market was more positive, with fall of 2,5%. Scarcity intensifies due to large-scale use of AI (Artificial intelligence) and its infrastructure, that requires a high volume of memory for processing, model storage and training. The scenario will affect the consumer with an increase in 6% a 8% in the price of machines – and even 9% with delivery.
Shortages increase in recent months
The global RAM shortage further intensified in mid-October, confirming the alert to the sector. Demand for the product from large cloud providers grew rapidly, leading the industry to redirect production towards higher value enterprise components, like more advanced memories, and reducing focus on personal devices.
Yet, according to IDC, This scenario in the PC market is not a typical decline, but rather a reallocation of silicon capacity. For this reason, the reduction in sales is expected to persist in the coming years.
Smartphones will also be impacted
Beyond the Growth of AI-Powered PCs, memory shortages also coincided with the end of the Windows cycle 10. But the computer market will not be the only one impacted: the forecast drop for smartphones is also around 5%, since the material used to manufacture these devices competes directly with the demand for servers and Artificial Intelligence infrastructures.
