Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-02-12 14:32Core Viewpoint - The computer hardware sector is experiencing a downturn, with significant declines in stock prices for major companies like Dell and HP due to rising memory and storage costs, which have increased by approximately 40% to 70% from Q1 to Q4 of 2025, impacting consumer prices [1] Group 1: Industry Challenges - Memory manufacturers are prioritizing higher-margin products such as server-grade DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI infrastructure, leading to a shortage of standard DDR memory for personal computers [1] - PC manufacturers are warning of potential difficulties for consumers in 2026, not due to shortages of CPUs or GPUs, but because of a memory shortage crisis that will increase material costs and force manufacturers to make difficult configuration choices [1] Group 2: Market Projections - IDC research manager Jitesh Ubrani forecasts a potential 9% decline in PC shipments in 2026, bringing total shipments down to approximately 260 million units, slightly below the 263.3 million units expected in 2024 and close to the levels seen in 2023, which was one of the worst years in PC history [1]