Why IT and PC Costs Are Rising Faster in 2026

If your company is planning to buy new laptops, servers, or tech equipment in 2026, you may notice something surprising: prices are going up—fast. This isn’t due to inflation or a sales gimmick. It’s happening because the world is facing a major shortage of one critical component:

There Isn’t Enough Memory (RAM) to Go Around

RAM is what helps your computer run smoothly, multitask, and operate modern apps. However, during the past year, RAM has become incredibly difficult to source, and prices are shooting upward.

The biggest reason? AI data centers—the massive server farms powering tools like ChatGPT—are buying up huge amounts of memory. In fact, AI systems are expected to consume 70% of all advanced DRAM (your device’s short-term memory) produced in 2026, leaving much less available for everyday business computers.

This shortage is driving up the cost of everything from laptops to servers to network gear.

How Much Are Prices Increasing?

Here’s what analysts and industry sources report:

  • RAM prices rose ~70% in 2025, with another 50–70% expected in early 2026.
  • According to Counterpoint Research, some types of memory like DDR5 (more powerful version of RAM) may double in price.
  • Many manufacturers are raising prices 15–20% on systems because of higher memory and storage costs.
  • Experts warn shortages may continue through 2027 as memory factories scramble to catch up with AI demand.

What This Means for You

  1. New computers cost more. Your organization may need to budget more for each laptop or workstation.
  1. Devices shipping with less RAM. To control costs, some models may come with lower memory configurations than in previous years.
  1. Shorter quote windows. Prices may only be guaranteed for a few days before increasing.
  1. Possible delays or limited availability. Certain laptops, desktops, or servers may be harder to get.

How Companies Can Reduce the Impact

Buy earlier: Waiting often leads to higher prices as quotes expire.

Match RAM to actual needs: If an employee’s role doesn’t require 32GB, a 16GB model may work perfectly—and save cost.

Prepare for DDR5: Older DDR4 memory is being phased out by manufacturers like Cisco, so future devices will use the newer (and pricier) DDR5 standard.

Use technology financing: AllConnected partners with our distributors and vendors (e.g. TD SYNNEX, Ingram Micro, Cisco, and HPE) to offer payment flexibility that helps organizations spread out costs during volatile periods.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t just a temporary price bump—it’s a global supply chain challenge driven by soaring AI demand. Major manufacturers (Dell, Lenovo, Cisco), distributors (Ingram Micro, TD SYNNEX), and global councils like the GTDC all agree: Hardware purchasing is expected to be especially challenging in 2026.

But with smart planning, clear communication, and early action, companies can minimize the impact and continue to equip their teams with the technology they need.

Make Informed Hardware Decisions with Expert Guidance

Our engineers stay current on product performance, pricing trends, and supply chain shifts. If you’re unsure what to purchase—or how to stretch your budget—reach out to your AllConnected Technology Alignment Manager, or you can contact our Inside Sales team at (805) 475-5040. We’ll recommend the best devices for your workload at the most efficient cost.