BOSTON, March 12, 2026 – Amid ongoing memory and supply chain disruptions, IDC has made significant downward revisions to its PC and tablet outlook. According to the latest data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, global PC shipments are now expected to decline 11.3% in 2026 —a substantial reduction from the -2.4% outlook published in November 2025. Tablet shipments are similarly forecast to fall 7.6% this year.
These reductions are driven by a convergence of memory shortages, rising component prices, and broader supply constraints, all of which are expected to limit production well into 2027, making recovery timing a challenging and shifting target. It is also worth noting that at the time this forecast was published, the conflict in the Middle East had not yet escalated to its current level, adding yet another significant challenge for many industries, including technology and hardware.
“The overall tech industry, as well as many others, continues to face uncontrollable headwinds that, when compounded, result in massive disruption,” said Ryan Reith, group vice president, Devices and Consumer. “The lists of industry and geopolitical events that continue to grow is making decision‑making—and even survival in some sectors—nearly impossible. What has turned all of this from a million‑dollar question into a trillion‑dollar question is the complete uncertainty around when these pressures will subside.”
Even in the shadow of these shortages, the market retains pockets of resilience. Higher average selling prices (ASPs) are expected to lift total market value, with PCs growing 1.6% to $274 billion and tablets expanding 3.9% to $66.8 billion in 2026.
“The era of bargain-priced PCs and tablets is behind us for now, as rising ASPs and component costs shift the market’s balance of power,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. “Memory shortages will persist well into 2027. While we anticipate some easing of prices beginning in 2028, the market is unlikely to return to the pricing levels seen in 2025. Instead, we expect a new normal defined by structurally higher ASPs and a corresponding softening in long-term demand.”
Looking ahead, IDC anticipates vendors prioritizing supply chain resilience, more flexible component sourcing strategies, and explore down-spec’ing options to control costs while offering more affordable devices. These dynamics will play a notable role in defining end user adoption in the coming years.
IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker gathers detailed market data in over 90 countries. The research includes historical and forecast trend analysis, among other data. For more information or to subscribe to the research, please contact Jackie Kliem at 508-988-7984 or jkliem@idc.com.
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,000 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 100 countries. IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is the world’s leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on X at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.
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