Key facts
- HP, Asus and Acer are shifting PC production back to China from Southeast Asia.
- The move is a response to rising component costs, including for AI-driven hardware.
- Global PC shipments fell 21% year-over-year in Q3 2026.
- RAM, SSDs, and chips have become more expensive, leading to price hikes on PCs.
- Companies are prioritizing configurations that can better absorb inflation.
- Global shipments are expected to plunge 27% in Q4 2026.
PC makers HP, Asus and Acer are moving some manufacturing back to China from Thailand and Vietnam to combat rising component costs. The companies are also engaging new contract manufacturers and prioritizing configurations that can better absorb inflation. Global PC shipments fell 21% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research, due to price hikes on components like RAM, SSDs, and chips. Some firms are reviving older technology to mitigate these costs. Shipments are expected to plunge further in the fourth quarter.