Laptop prices may rise further in 2027
The global PC market has faced a sharp decline in shipments, and the situation will worsen in 2027 due to further price increases. According to forecasts by IDC and TrendForce, rising costs for processors, RAM, and storage will force laptop manufacturers to raise retail prices and reduce device specifications.
In the third quarter of 2026, global PC shipments fell by 20.1% year-over-year, from 78.5 million to 62.7 million units. The decline was significantly sharper than in the second quarter, when shipments fell by 3.8%. According to IDC, one reason for this is that manufacturers and retailers purchased large batches of computers in advance, anticipating a rise in component prices. As a result, some demand shifted to the first half of the year.
Main reasons for price increases and manufacturer reactions
Analysts cite the rising cost of three key components—central processors, random-access memory (DRAM), and solid-state drives (SSD)—as the main reason for the potential increase in laptop prices. According to TrendForce estimates, these components accounted for about 68% of the component cost of a mass-market laptop with a recommended retail price of $900 in the third quarter of 2026. For comparison, this share was about 45% in the first quarter of 2025.
The situation is exacerbated by high demand for components for AI servers and data centers. Semiconductor manufacturers are allocating a significant portion of their production capacity to higher-margin server solutions, which limits the ability to increase consumer memory supplies. As a result, DRAM supply remains constrained, and high NAND Flash prices further increase the cost of SSD.
Printed circuit boards, multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), and power management integrated circuits (PMIC) are placing additional pressure on production costs. Their manufacturing also depends on capacity availability, raw material costs, and the state of international supply chains.
Under these conditions, laptop manufacturers have a few options: raise retail prices, reduce their own profit margins, or lower device specifications. The latter option could lead to a decrease in RAM capacity and storage size in base models.
TrendForce forecasts that global laptop shipments will decline by several percent in 2027. If processor and DRAM prices remain high and manufacturers pass the additional costs on to buyers, the decline could approach 10%. More expensive devices may increase the intervals between computer upgrades, further weakening demand.
Rising production costs are also forcing companies to reconsider their manufacturing geography. Some brands may abandon further efforts to move assembly outside of China and return some capacity there to cut costs. According to TrendForce estimates, the share of laptops produced in the PRC was about 76% in 2025, could reach 79% in 2026, and exceed 80% in 2027. This scenario is possible provided that trade tariffs do not create additional pressure.
Impact on prices and market outlook
Rising component costs may affect various laptop price categories, but the scale of changes will depend on device configuration and manufacturer pricing policy. In the budget segment, even a small price increase can reduce the appeal of models to buyers. Manufacturers of more expensive laptops, in turn, may attempt to partially offset additional costs from their own profit margins.
At the same time, retail price increases are not guaranteed for every model. Some manufacturers may maintain previous pricing by changing specifications or using components purchased earlier at lower prices.
TrendForce analysts expect the DRAM shortage to persist through 2027. However, the situation with NAND Flash may begin to improve in the second half of the year due to the launch of additional production capacity.
In the short term, buyers can expect occasional discounts and sales. According to IDC, retailers are interested in reducing inventory levels amid weak demand. However, analysts do not expect overall PC price levels to return to last year’s figures.
