Shopping for a brand new PC is getting dearer, and Lenovo says the stress shouldn’t be easing anytime quickly. The corporate has begun elevating costs in some markets and is warning {that a} extended scarcity of reminiscence chips might proceed to disrupt pricing and availability effectively past the close to time period.
In accordance with Reuters, Lenovo says rising reminiscence prices are creating actual pressure on the PC enterprise. Reminiscence chips are more durable to safe, and worth volatility is making it harder to plan manufacturing.
Even the place demand stays regular, shortages imply fewer components can be found at predictable costs, forcing firms to move a few of these prices on to consumers. Intel’s CEO not too long ago echoed the identical warning that the reminiscence scarcity is unlikely to ease anytime quickly, sharing issues that increased costs might stick round longer than anticipated.
A Bloomberg report provides vital context to why the stress is intensifying now. Lenovo’s latest gross sales exceeded expectations, partly as a result of clients rushed to purchase PCs forward of anticipated reminiscence worth will increase.
That rush helped enhance Lenovo’s income within the brief time period, however executives warn that it doesn’t mirror more healthy long-term provide situations.
Why reminiscence is the true bottleneck
The core downside lies in the place reminiscence chips are going. Reminiscence makers are prioritising provide for AI servers and information centres, the place demand is booming, and margins are increased.
That has lowered the availability of normal DRAM and NAND utilized in laptops and desktops, decreasing the supply for PC makers.
Lenovo has tried to guard itself by stockpiling reminiscence and different key parts and holding considerably increased stock than regular. It helps preserve manufacturing operating, however it’s not a long-term repair if shortages persist.
And it’s not simply RAM costs that might keep excessive; consultants warn that SSD storage prices may additionally rise, placing extra stress on general PC pricing.
Reuters notes that analysts anticipate reminiscence constraints to proceed by 2026, retaining prices elevated throughout the {hardware} market. For customers, that might imply fewer reductions and better PC costs.
For Lenovo and different PC makers, it means navigating a market the place AI demand is reshaping the economics of on a regular basis computing. If you happen to’re planning an improve, listed below are some higher methods to optimize your present reminiscence.
