PC Makers Have Apparently Cracked the Code on Supply Shortages: Stop Making Hardware Regular Gamers Can Afford

Supply-chain shortages and rising component costs are pushing PC makers away from budget models toward higher-margin hardware.

Omdia warns the sub-$500 segment could shrink by up to 35 percent while $1,300–$1,499 models may see growth.

Smaller vendors face higher risk as allocation priorities and thin margins squeeze the low-end market.

Manufacturers are also expanding into AI and server ODM work to diversify revenue amid consumer market pressures.