Goldman Cuts 2026 PC Shipments to 257M Units, Forecasts 59% AI PC Share
Global PC shipments in 2026 are forecast at 257 million units, a 10% year-on-year decline driven by a surge-induced cooling replacement cycle and higher memory costs. AI-capable PC shipments are projected at 150 million units (59% penetration) in 2026, supporting HP Inc.'s premium hardware margins.
1. Revised Shipment Forecast
Analysts now expect 2026 global PC shipments at 257 million units, a 10% year-on-year drop driven by higher memory costs and a cooling replacement cycle following a late-2025 upgrade surge.
2. AI PC Growth Prospects
AI-capable PCs are projected to reach 150 million units in 2026, representing 59% of the market, with further growth to 81% by 2028 as edge computing requirements drive demand.
3. Implications for HP Inc.
HP Inc.'s premium hardware portfolio is set to benefit from AI PC resilience, as higher price points allow the company to absorb material cost increases and maintain healthy margins despite overall market contraction.