Laptop Shipments Expected to Decline Sharply in 2026 Amid Component Shortages

• January 27, 2026

Industry analyst TrendForce has lowered its forecast for global laptop shipments in 2026, anticipating a sharper decline than previously expected. The firm now predicts a 9.4% drop in shipments compared to last year, highlighting ongoing supply difficulties affecting the market.

The revised forecast reflects a combination of factors constraining laptop production, with shortages extending beyond memory components to include processors. These supply constraints, coupled with rising component costs, are impacting the availability and pricing of notebooks worldwide. TrendForce’s updated estimate represents a significant adjustment from an earlier projection of a 5.4% decline for the same period.

Memory shortages have been a persistent issue in the semiconductor industry, influencing a broad range of technology products. The addition of processor supply challenges compounds these difficulties, placing added pressure on laptop manufacturers to meet demand. Together, these component bottlenecks contribute to tighter inventories and slowdowns across the laptop market.

Market Impact and Industry Trends

The laptop sector faces ongoing headwinds as supply chain disruptions persist amidst shifting demand patterns. Several other tech segments have experienced similar pressures due to semiconductor shortages and inflationary cost hikes. Competition remains intense among hardware makers to secure critical components, with manufacturers racing to adapt to the constrained supply environment.

Looking ahead, the industry will closely monitor supply chain developments and market responses to these limitations. How quickly component availability improves and pricing stabilizes will be key factors influencing shipment volumes and product refresh cycles throughout 2026.

TrendForce revises 2026 laptop shipment forecast down to a 9.4% decline due to memory and processor supply challenges.