Laptop prices are set to skyrocket as manufacturers face a perfect storm of supply chain issues and rising demand for powerful processors. The ballooning price of RAM, which makes up around 15-20% of a PC's cost, is having a devastating impact on the industry.
Lenovo, the largest laptop manufacturer, has reportedly warned customers that current prices will expire by January 1st, 2026, paving the way for new price hikes. Industry sources suggest that Dell and other major manufacturers are also considering significant price increases, with rumors of hikes ranging from 15-20% as early as mid-December.
The shortage of DRAM and NAND memory, which is used in both laptops and data centers, has created a perfect storm of supply chain issues. Major semiconductor companies like Samsung and SK Hynix have shifted their focus to supplying AI data centers, leaving consumer brands struggling to keep up with demand.
As a result, even basic models are now being forced to come equipped with at least 16GB of RAM to facilitate on-device AI processing. This trend is expected to hurt smaller brands the most, as they struggle to absorb the increased costs and pass them on to consumers.
OneXPlayer, a boutique gaming PC manufacturer, has already taken drastic measures by halting new orders for its expensive Apex gaming handheld due to fully allocated stock. With prices set to skyrocket, it's likely that this trend will continue across the industry, leaving consumers facing even higher prices in the coming months.
As the holiday season approaches, those looking to buy a new laptop may want to act quickly, as prices are expected to rise significantly in the near future.
Lenovo, the largest laptop manufacturer, has reportedly warned customers that current prices will expire by January 1st, 2026, paving the way for new price hikes. Industry sources suggest that Dell and other major manufacturers are also considering significant price increases, with rumors of hikes ranging from 15-20% as early as mid-December.
The shortage of DRAM and NAND memory, which is used in both laptops and data centers, has created a perfect storm of supply chain issues. Major semiconductor companies like Samsung and SK Hynix have shifted their focus to supplying AI data centers, leaving consumer brands struggling to keep up with demand.
As a result, even basic models are now being forced to come equipped with at least 16GB of RAM to facilitate on-device AI processing. This trend is expected to hurt smaller brands the most, as they struggle to absorb the increased costs and pass them on to consumers.
OneXPlayer, a boutique gaming PC manufacturer, has already taken drastic measures by halting new orders for its expensive Apex gaming handheld due to fully allocated stock. With prices set to skyrocket, it's likely that this trend will continue across the industry, leaving consumers facing even higher prices in the coming months.
As the holiday season approaches, those looking to buy a new laptop may want to act quickly, as prices are expected to rise significantly in the near future.