Escalating shortages in DRAM and SSD flash memory components are pushing retail costs higher, and analysts anticipate that this will lead to elevated expenses for PC manufacturers as well. A recent analysis indicates that Lenovo and Dell are preparing to implement price adjustments in response to the growing burdens from memory and storage procurement.
TrendForce, a firm tracking Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem, states that both companies have informed their clients about impending price elevations. The report details that Dell intends to implement hikes ranging from 15 to 20 percent starting in mid-December, while Lenovo is expected to announce specific increments next month, with changes taking effect in January.
The underlying issue remains straightforward: AI-focused data center operators, supported by substantial investments, are aggressively acquiring available parts to expand their infrastructure. Unlike CPU providers such as Intel, which clearly separate consumer and business offerings, the boundaries are less defined for DRAM and storage solutions. As AI firms stockpile premium-speed RAM and SSDs, this diverts inventory from consumer channels, prompting swift upward trends in component pricing.
Custom PC assembler CyberPower announced a price adjustment effective late Sunday, attributing it to surging part expenses, and it seems likely that additional system builders will follow suit soon.
Disruptions are affecting the entire semiconductor pipeline, as DRAM producers reportedly refuse to offer immediate or temporary quotes, instead requiring buyers to commit to extended agreements. This shift is causing concern among suppliers who have entered these deals, as they fear potential difficulties in securing adequate memory volumes going forward.
TrendForce further forecasts that these constraints will result in downgraded specifications for future systems, projecting that premium 2026 models will feature only 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD capacity, a step back from the standard 64GB RAM and 2TB storage in current top-tier configurations.
Representatives from Dell and Lenovo were unavailable for immediate statements.
Mark has contributed to PCWorld for the past ten years, drawing on three decades of expertise in tech reporting. He has produced more than 3,500 pieces for the outlet, delving into areas like PC processors, accessories, and Windows software. His bylines also appear in outlets such as PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science, and Electronic Buyers' News, where he co-received a Jesse H. Neal Award for timely coverage. Lately, he cleared out a stockpile of Thunderbolt docks and USB-C adapters from his workspace due to space limitations.