Acer Chairman Jason Chen has offered insights into the volatile PC market, suggesting a potential dip in PC prices by late 2027. In a recent report by Taiwan’s Economic Daily News, Chen indicated that PC prices might see a 5%-20% increase in the fourth quarter of this year. This upward trend is expected to peak around mid-2025 before gradually declining, with the average selling price potentially decreasing by the end of 2027.
Navigating Market Dynamics
Addressing the recent comments from some AI giants suggesting a slowdown in development, Chen expressed skepticism. He believes that technological progress has its own momentum, which will only accelerate. The crucial aspect, he emphasized, lies in establishing effective governance mechanisms amidst this rapid advancement.
Acer’s strategy to navigate these evolving market conditions is centered on a ‘multi-engine’ approach, avoiding over-reliance on a single business segment. While Acer’s origins and a significant portion of its business, approximately 50%, are still rooted in personal computers, the company has diversified into various other business units.
Component Supply and Consumer Behavior
Regarding the supply of crucial components, Chen noted that memory products like DDRX and DDR5X continue to face shortages. However, the demand for these specific types of memory is relatively low, contributing to Acer’s currently high inventory levels. He anticipates that the cost of memory could see a reduction by 2027.
Furthermore, Chen observed that there is no current indication of high-end smartphones encroaching on the personal computer market. Instead, he sees a trend where consumers are increasingly owning multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs, which tend to complement rather than replace each other. Despite this, he acknowledged that the market is facing a less-than-optimistic situation with declining sales and shrinking demand due to price increases.
