Gaming PCs will be too expensive for ordinary people by 2028 predicts report
Report Foresees Gaming PCs Becoming Unaffordable for Average Consumers by 2028
A recent analysis of the PC market signals a significant contraction in the coming years, potentially explaining Sony’s strategic realignment. The scarcity of memory chips has been exacerbated by AI firms prioritizing RAM and SSDs for their data centers, leaving limited supplies for other manufacturers and possibly pushing back the PlayStation 6 and next Xbox releases.
Concerns have mounted about the future of gaming hardware, driven by a critical component shortage impacting availability. This scarcity has driven up prices, with some experts warning that the shortage could persist for as long as a decade. By 2028, the cost could make even basic PCs unattainable for many.
According to Gartner, PC memory costs are forecasted to rise by up to 23% this year, potentially eliminating the entry-level hardware market altogether. The report suggests that as components become rarer and pricier, companies may abandon budget-friendly models in favor of premium systems, aligning with Microsoft’s recent hints about its next-gen console.
“This sharp increase removes vendors’ ability to absorb costs, making low-margin entry-level laptops nonviable. Ultimately, we expect the sub-$500 (about £375) entry-level PC segment will disappear by 2028,” says senior director analyst Ranjit Atwal.
The projected timeline of 2028 underscores the potential for Sony to shift focus away from PC platforms, possibly abandoning game ports if the PC audience stagnates or declines. Meanwhile, Valve’s Steam Machine is seen as a more accessible option, though delays in its launch are attributed to the ongoing memory crisis.
Microsoft has acknowledged its next console will be a “very premium, very high end curated experience,” while the Steam Machine is expected to cost more than a standard console and won’t be sold at a loss. This trend could fundamentally alter upgrade cycles, discouraging PC owners from replacing their devices and prompting consumers to extend phone lifespans or opt for refurbished models.
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Elsewhere in the report, Gartner highlights that global PC shipments are projected to drop by 10.4% and smartphones by 8.4% by year-end, urging vendors to optimize pricing strategies during the first half of 2026.
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