Major PC manufacturers Dell and Lenovo are preparing significant price increases on laptops and desktops, with hikes of 15-20% expected as early as mid-December, according to market analysis firm TrendForce. The moves come as an “unprecedented” memory shortage driven by AI data center demand sends component costs soaring.Lenovo has begun warning retail and enterprise customers that current pricing will expire January 1, 2026, with new rates taking effect immediately after. Dell may move even faster, implementing price adjustments before year’s end, TrendForce reported based on industry sources.
AI boom creates perfect storm for PC buyers
The crisis stems from semiconductor manufacturers redirecting DRAM and NAND flash production away from consumer devices toward lucrative AI server contracts. Memory prices have surged 70% year-over-year, with some components jumping as much as 170%, according to TrendForce.“We’re in a very unique time. It’s unprecedented. We have not seen costs move at the rate that we’ve seen,” Dell COO Jeff Clarke told investors during a November earnings call, as reported by CRN. “It’s not unique to DRAM, it’s NAND. It is hard drives, leading edge nodes across the semiconductor network.”Dell confirmed to Gizmodo that it will take “targeted pricing action, when necessary, while maintaining supply continuity.” The company’s brands include consumer laptops and its premium Alienware gaming line.
Buy now or pay more later, PC manufacturers warn
HP CEO Enrique Lores revealed that memory costs now represent 15-18% of a typical PC’s production cost—nearly double last year’s figure. The shortage particularly impacts AI-enabled PCs, which require minimum 16GB RAM configurations.The shortage particularly impacts AI-enabled PCs, which require minimum 16GB RAM configurations to run on-device AI features. Microsoft’s Copilot+ designation and similar AI-focused systems from other manufacturers demand even more memory, further straining already tight supplies.The memory crunch follows Micron’s recent decision to discontinue its consumer-focused Crucial brand after nearly 30 years, redirecting production capacity entirely toward AI data center clients. Industry experts warn the shortage could persist through 2026, with some predicting elevated DRAM prices lasting until 2028.
Industry scrambles as product roadmaps unravel
TrendForce has downgraded its 2026 notebook shipment forecast from 1.7% growth to a 2.4% decline as manufacturers reconsider product roadmaps. Samsung, LG, HP, and other major players are reportedly delaying launches or redesigning products to manage the cost crisis. Smaller manufacturers face even steeper challenges—gaming handheld maker OneXPlayer has halted orders for its Apex device entirely while renegotiating component contracts.Lenovo has begun stockpiling memory components, reportedly holding over 50% more inventory than usual to prepare for extended shortages. Industry experts warn the crunch could persist through 2026, with some analysts predicting elevated DRAM prices lasting until 2028 as AI infrastructure buildouts continue absorbing supply.If you’re in the market for a new laptop, now might be the time to pull the trigger before prices jump.
