- AI data center demand reduces memory supply for consumer devices
- Refurbished PC sales increased 7% in major European markets
- 40% of refurbished laptops sell for between €200 and €300 – a much cheaper option for consumers
Anyone buying a new PC in 2026 will likely face higher prices and tighter supply conditions than in recent years due to chip shortages, experts have warned.
Memory makers are allocating more production capacity to high-margin components for AI data centers rather than modules typically used in consumer PCs and smartphones.
This shift is contributing to sustained pricing pressure across all consumer hardware categories, with little evidence of imminent relief.
Memory constraints are reshaping the PC market
Sales forecasts for new devices remain mixed, reflecting buyers’ caution over rising costs because when component supply is structurally constrained, sellers have limited flexibility to absorb price increases.
As a result, retail prices for laptops and desktops tend to increase, especially for models requiring larger memory configurations.
For buyers looking for a reliable business laptop, the cost difference between new and used systems is increasingly difficult to ignore.
In this context, refurbished computers are gaining ground in Europe and affordable price is becoming a central element in purchasing decisions.
Data from market analyst Context shows that sales of refurbished systems through distribution channels increased by 7% in the fourth quarter in Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain and France.
The UK saw particularly strong growth in 2025, with volumes effectively doubling and overtaking Germany as the region’s largest market.
Price sensitivity appears to be the main driver of demand, with 40% of refurbished laptops falling in the €200-€300 price range.
At the same time, the €300-€400 segment has grown from 15% to 23% of the reconditioned market in a year, meaning some buyers are willing to spend more for upgraded specs.
Another dimension that favors the growth of used laptops is environmental considerations.
A 2024 United Nations report warned that global e-waste is generated almost five times faster than it is formally recycled – with the annual average of e-waste per person amounting to 11.2kg, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
Upcoming laws, like the EU’s right to repair, aim to make electronic devices repairable even after they pass from one user to another.
These laws aim to improve access to replacement parts and repair services, making device repair easier and more affordable for consumers and businesses.
Whether you should buy used wisely depends on your tolerance for older equipment and potential limitations in warranty coverage.
However, as long as memory supply remains limited and new device prices continue to rise, refurbished systems will likely remain in serious consideration among cost-conscious buyers.
Via The register
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