Refurbished PC Sales Rise Across Europe as Chip Shortages Push Up New Device Prices

Sales of refurbished personal computers are gaining momentum across Europe as shortages of key components — particularly memory chips — drive up the cost of new devices and push consumers toward more affordable alternatives.

Data from market intelligence firm Context shows that refurbished PC sales through distribution channels rose 7% year-on-year in the fourth quarter across five of Europe’s largest markets: Italy, the UK, Germany, Spain and France.

Affordability remains the dominant driver in the second-hand PC segment. Around 40% of refurbished laptop sales were concentrated in the €200–€300 price band, reflecting strong demand from budget-conscious buyers. At the same time, the €300–€400 segment expanded to 23% of the market, up from 15% a year earlier, suggesting some consumers are willing to pay more for better specifications.

“Second-life computing is moving decisively into the mainstream,” said Jacky Chang, ESG specialist at Context. “The UK is emerging as the fastest-growing refurbished PC market in Europe.”

Sales volumes of refurbished PCs in the UK effectively doubled in 2025, allowing the country to overtake Germany as Europe’s largest refurbished PC market. Context declined to disclose absolute unit shipment figures.

The growth in refurbished sales comes as forecasts for new PC shipments remain mixed. Prices for new devices are already rising and are expected to climb further as memory manufacturers prioritize high-margin chips for AI data centres over components used in PCs, smartphones and other consumer electronics.

With supply constraints tightening and component costs increasing, refurbished PCs are increasingly seen as a practical workaround for both consumers and retailers.

“In a market with locked-in supply constraints, refurbished devices offer an attractive alternative,” Chang said.

Context also pointed to the European Union’s Right to Repair legislation, scheduled to take effect in July 2026, as a potential catalyst for further growth. The rules are expected to improve access to repairable devices and spare parts across the region, increasing the pool of hardware suitable for refurbishment.

While modular design has long been a feature of PC hardware, particularly within the Wintel ecosystem, industry reports suggest laptop makers have made limited progress in improving repairability in recent years.

Despite that, Context argues refurbished PCs are becoming a structural component of Europe’s PC market, driven by a combination of price sensitivity and growing consumer awareness around sustainability.