The Chromebook deliveries will turn out to be the most vulnerable due to a lack of memory

How Chromebooks Will Weather the PC Market Decline

A Chromebook is a small, inexpensive laptop with up to a 13‑inch screen that runs ChromeOS and requires constant network connectivity. In an environment of limited RAM, this category of computers will face the sharpest supply cuts.

Indicator Expected growth/decline in 2026 Total PCs (world market) –12 % → 530.2 million units Desktop PCs –10 % → 53.2 million units Laptops –12 % → 192.2 million units

Why are supplies falling?

1. Rising memory and SSD prices

* Since the beginning of last year, the cost of a typical RAM + SSD configuration has risen from $90 to $165.

* In the current quarter, memory prices will rise another 60 %.

2. Shift toward more expensive models

Manufacturers are forced to focus on premium lines with higher margins. This leads to reduced production of budget devices.

3. Loss of demand in the entry segment

Devices priced under $500 are becoming increasingly costly and lose appeal for the mass market.

OS Differences

Operating System Supply Reduction ChromeOS (Chromebooks) –27.6 % Windows –12.1 % macOS (Apple) –4.8 %

Chromebooks are especially sensitive to rising memory costs and component supply disruptions. Unlike them, Apple is protected by a vertically integrated supply chain and premium positioning, making its models less vulnerable to market swings.

What’s next?

Omdia’s forecast assumes that the 60‑percent jump in memory prices will be limited to the first quarter only. If the dynamics remain unpredictable, the PC market could decline by 15 % or more over the year. Conflicts in the Middle East amplify these trends.

As analysts at Context note, AI growth not only changes component demand structures but also redefines customers’ IT investment priorities.