Hardware Price Changes

RAM and disk prices are increasing at an accelerating rate, and this trend is already impacting the cost of laptops, PCs, servers, and other hardware. The technology sector is facing one of the most significant component shortages seen in recent years, largely driven by the surge in demand from AI datacentre deployments. As organisations worldwide invest heavily in AI infrastructure, manufacturers are shifting supply toward high-density memory and storage used in servers, leaving fewer components available for general commercial hardware production. As a result, all major vendors are feeling the strain, and the cost pressures are being passed through the supply chain.

Suppliers across the industry are warning that these price increases will continue for the foreseeable future, accompanied by reduced availability and longer lead times. From 8 December, most major hardware vendors—including Lenovo, HP, and Dell—will be implementing substantial price adjustments across their product ranges. This means that any existing quotes will automatically expire on 8 December and will require reissue at the new, higher pricing. In some cases, stock allocations may also become more restricted, making it difficult to secure equipment at short notice.

The magnitude of the price shifts is considerable. For example, Samsung, one of the world’s largest memory manufacturers, has increased its memory component prices by 60% since September alone. Similar adjustments are being observed across other key suppliers in the market, affecting SSDs, RAM modules, and other critical components. Analysts expect these increases to continue into early 2024 as demand remains high and production capacity struggles to keep pace.

In summary: if you are planning to purchase new hardware—whether for routine refresh cycles, upcoming projects, or business expansion—there is a very narrow window to secure current pricing. Costs are expected to rise significantly after 8 December, and supply constraints may lead to delays or limited product availability. Acting within the next few days offers the best opportunity to avoid these increases and ensure hardware can be procured without disruption.