First the pandemic, then tariffs and now the AI squeeze: Tech shoppers just can't catch a break from shortages and rising prices. Dell plans to raise system prices by a minimum of 15% to 20% as soon as mid-December, a report from market intelligence firm TrendForce last week said, while Lenovo has told clients that its current system price schedule will reset on Jan. 1, 2026.
Blame AI, in part. With billions being spent to build out data center infrastructure for AI, the supply of essential system components, such as RAM and SSD storage, is caught in the undertow.
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Representatives for Dell and Lenovo didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
The timing of the shortages is unfortunate for PC manufacturers, who typically announce a range of products at CES in early January to ship in the first half of the year.
It's also bad news for the manufacturers of complementary components, notably Intel and AMD.