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Why Enterprise PC Price Increases Are Here to Stay and What to Do About Them
Enterprise PC and laptop prices are increasing, and the rise is not temporary. It’s far from it.
We’ve entered a sustained inflation cycle for end user computing devices, driven by shortages in memory and storage components caused by accelerating AI demand. OEMs have already begun resetting pricing, shortening quote validity windows, and adjusting standard device configurations.
Based on current market conditions, enterprises should expect price increases of 15 to 20% across many laptop and PC configurations, with higher exposure for memory- and storage-intensive devices. These increases are already appearing in quotes, and meaningful relief is unlikely before late 2026.
Why Enterprise PC Prices Are Increasing
Enterprise PC price inflation is being driven by several overlapping supply constraints.
First, DDR5 memory pricing has risen sharply and is expected to continue increasing through at least the first half of 2026. In some cases, DDR5 costs have doubled year over year, materially increasing the bill of materials for enterprise laptops and desktops.
At the same time, NAND supply remains constrained, pushing enterprise SSD prices higher. Many OEMs are responding by reducing standard storage configurations in an effort to contain headline device prices. This behavior signals that underlying cost pressure remains significant.
AI infrastructure demand is amplifying these issues (to say the least). Memory manufacturers are reallocating capacity toward higher-margin AI and data center workloads, reducing availability for enterprise endpoint components. Micron’s exit from consumer-branded memory has further tightened supply.
In simpler terms, fewer OEMs have more pricing power and are prioritizing AI infrastructure for higher margins.
How Long Enterprise PC Price Increases Are Expected to Last
Current indicators suggest that elevated enterprise PC and laptop pricing will persist through at least 2027.
This is not a short-term supply disruption followed by normalization. It is a structural shift in component allocation and vendor pricing behavior. Enterprises planning refresh cycles in 2026 and beyond should assume sustained higher pricing rather than a return to pre-2024 cost levels.
Why IT Budgets Are at Risk
Many enterprise IT budgets still assume endpoint pricing will normalize after a brief inflationary period. That assumption creates material financial risk.
With pricing pressure expected to persist, refresh programs planned for 2026 face higher renewal baselines, reduced configuration flexibility, and greater exposure to mid-cycle price resets. Shortened quote validity windows further complicate procurement timelines and increase the likelihood that pricing changes before deals are executed.
In this market, delaying refresh decisions does not preserve negotiating leverage. It reduces it.
What Enterprise Buyers Should Do Now
Enterprises can reduce exposure by taking proactive steps.
Refresh decisions should be accelerated where feasible to avoid future pricing resets. Pricing and configurations should be locked as early as possible, with procurement teams pushing for extended quote validity. Standard device builds should be reassessed to limit unnecessary exposure to premium memory tiers experiencing the steepest inflation.
Multi-year device cost models should assume sustained elevated pricing rather than short-term normalization. Every quote should be benchmarked independently, as many current offers already exceed fair market value.
Key Takeaway for Enterprise IT and Procurement Leaders
AI-driven supply shifts are increasing costs across IT, including end user computing. With enterprise PC and laptop pricing pressure expected to last through at least 2027, proactive refresh planning is essential to controlling spend and maintaining leverage.
Organizations with PC or laptop refreshes planned for 2026 should validate pricing assumptions now, adjust timelines where possible, and reassess configuration strategies. Enterprises that act early will retain options and negotiating power. Those that wait should expect higher costs and fewer choices.
