The sudden and unstoppable shift to all-things AI has never been more apparent than at Computex 2026. The sweeping transition of my favourite trade show, traditionally a four-day exhibition of all things PC, was unmistakable, with AI taking centre stage wherever you looked.
It comes as no surprise, given how ludicrously profitable AI has become for certain parts of our industry, yet I can’t help but feel that the soul of Computex has been traded for something altogether artificial.
The soul of Computex has been traded for something artificial.
There were no new graphics card architectures to speak of, consumer motherboards were tucked away at the rear of booths, and PCs as a whole had to take a back seat. This year, server racks occupied prime position, and gaming – once a hallmark of the Computex showground – has all but been forgotten.
Behind the AI posters
While the visual change is what first catches the eye, events behind the scenes prove more bothersome for die-hard PC enthusiasts. Speaking to the top companies in our space at this year’s event has highlighted just how deep the problems lie.
Gaming – once a hallmark of the Computex showground – has all but been forgotten.
A well-known memory brand, for example, told me it’s finding it impossible to source allocation, picking up scraps on a week-by-week basis while the juggernauts of the AI world gobble up supply.
Meanwhile, a chassis manufacturer informed me that its prized Taiwanese factories have been re-tooled to ramp up production of server hardware. The PC cases that were once made locally have now been outsourced to China. These large-scale pivots are wide and all-encompassing.
No AI? No booth
Such is the fervour surrounding AI that a globally recognised PC brand, a mainstay at Computex for well over a decade, told me that this year it was unable to secure a booth at the main Nangang halls simply because the firm’s products don’t specifically promote AI. As far as Computex is concerned, if AI isn’t your focus, you’re an outcast.
The entire show floor grinds to a halt when Jensen appears.
The show’s dramatic shift is further highlighted by a public show of passion for today’s rock-star CEOs. Whereas visitors once came to Computex intrigued to see future upgrade paths, the gathering hordes now clamour for a glimpse of Jensen Huang or Lisa Su.
Celebrity stardom on this scale hasn’t been seen since the days of Steve Jobs. The entire show floor grinds to a halt when Jensen appears, with visitors huddled together and unable to move as cordons are swiftly put in place. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that two of Taiwan’s most successful children – Jensen and Lisa’s mother are direct cousins, in fact – have gone on to transform the world through Nvidia and AMD.
Nevertheless, as a fan of all things PC, I can’t help feeling as though something has been lost along the way. The PC community that helped start these companies is being cajoled into an AI age that few understand, and even fewer are prepared for.
The Club386 team has collectively visited over 30 Computex events, and we typically have a good idea of what to expect. For 2027, your guess is as good as ours.
