If you’re planning to buy a new laptop next year, you might want to move fast. With the cost of RAM sky rocketing in recent weeks, major PC makers are bracing for impact, with both Dell and Lenovo preparing to raise prices.
According to industry sources, Dell is preparing to raise prices by 15–20% as early as mid-December. Dell COO Jeff Clarke recently said he’d “never seen memory-chip costs rise this fast,” adding that the surge is hitting every product line, not just premium models.
Lenovo is taking a similar approach. A notice sent to clients states that all current quotations expire on January 1, 2026, with price adjustments following immediately after. The company points to two accelerating pressures: a global memory crunch and the rapid rollout of AI-heavy systems that depend on high-performance hardware. With more enterprises racing to deploy on-device AI features, demand for advanced DRAM is tightening supply across the board.
The numbers behind the hikes paint an even clearer picture. Reports from Chosun Biz note that DDR5 memory prices have jumped 70% year-over-year, with some components rising as much as 170%. That’s a staggering swing for parts that already make up a significant portion of a laptop’s bill of materials.
These pressures aren’t just squeezing manufacturers, they’re reshaping roadmaps. According to the same report, companies including Lenovo, HP, Dell, Samsung, and LG are now re-evaluating 2026 product plans, especially their incoming wave of AI PCs and tablets. TrendForce’s latest analysis underscores the shift, noting that higher component costs are pushing brands to raise retail prices while also dampening demand. The research firm has already revised its 2026 notebook shipment forecast from slight growth to a 2.4% decline.
For consumers, the takeaway is straightforward: expect higher laptop prices across almost every category in 2026, from entry-level machines to AI-focused flagships. And if your upgrade was already on the horizon, locking in a current-generation model from our list of the best laptops before the increased hit might save you a significant amount.
