Laptop prices rise amid global memory component shortage

Laptop manufacturers are facing sustained price increases due to a global shortage and rising costs of memory components, specifically DRAM and NAND. Major PC maker Lenovo has warned that these high price levels for memory are unlikely to improve before 2028, and may remain elevated even through 2030.

The crisis is driven by the high demand for specialized high-bandwidth memory required for AI data centers. Leading semiconductor suppliers, including Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix, have shifted their focus toward these high-margin AI contracts, reducing the supply available for consumer electronics. Micron has implemented “strategic customer contracts” that involve long-term, binding commitments, which may further limit consumer-grade supply.

Several companies have already adjusted their pricing in response. Dell has raised the price of its entry-level XPS 13 by $100 while simultaneously reducing base storage capacity. Apple has also implemented price hikes for certain products due to rising component costs. Industry leaders, including Apple's Tim Cook, have expressed frustration with the memory industry's pricing power, noting that manufacturers have little room to negotiate.