Rising costs for memory, passive components, and battery modules are intensifying pressure on PC makers, while DynaPack and Acer Taiwan report shortages that are constraining supply and driving prices higher.
Battery module maker DynaPack cited soaring international cobalt prices as a key factor driving up lithium polymer battery module costs, and DynaPack president Chung-Hsing Chang said cobalt-driven price increases raise module costs more than for conventional cylindrical lithium batteries. Acer Taiwan told our reporter there is a severe shortage of hard drives, noting that even with funds available, the parts remain unavailable.
Industry executives and suppliers say these component constraints have been a continuing problem since 2025 and pose a greater immediate headache for PC makers than the recent Middle East conflicts, which so far have had a limited impact on consumer demand. Raw material cost pressures combined with AI-related capacity demands have kept memory and other component prices climbing. Executives described memory price surges as "outrageous," and several market research firms have downgraded full-year PC shipment forecasts, cutting projections by single-digit to double-digit percentages.
Acer Taiwan told our reporter the business PC market is more affected than the consumer market because commercial purchases often proceed via projects or bids that lock in prices, making timely cost pass-through difficult. With memory prices changing three times weekly, vendors sometimes ship larger volumes while incurring greater losses. Business orders are split into government tenders, which typically complete shipments quickly and limit exposure to volatility, and corporate projects with longer timelines and strict delivery deadlines that can trigger penalties; some suppliers say they would rather pay fines than ship at a loss.
Acer chairman and CEO Jason Chen said shortages and price hikes in critical components such as memory and processors are dampening market demand. However, rising average selling prices could still enable total sales revenue in 2026 to exceed 2025 levels. Amid these headwinds, Acer Taiwan continues to launch new products to seek growth opportunities. On March 4, it unveiled the Acer Swift 16 AI (SF16-71T), one of the first notebooks with Intel Core Ultra X9 processors, aimed at digital creators and high-end business users. Acer also introduced the large-format vertical tablets Acer Iconia X14 (X14-11MN) and Acer Iconia A14 (A14-11MN), both with 14-inch screens and integrated stands for hands-free use.
Article translated by Jingyue Hsiao and edited by Joseph Chen
