[Exclusive] Memory Crunch Hits PCs: Dell Hikes Prices 15-20% Mid-December, Lenovo from January 2026

Soaring AI-server memory demand is driving DRAM prices sharply higher—and now PC and notebook makers are feeling the squeeze. Industry sources revealed today that Lenovo has begun notifying clients of coming price hikes, with adjustments set to take effect in early 2026 as market pressures mount.

According to the sources, Dell, another tech giant, isn’t staying quiet either, as the company has issued its own price-hike alert to customers. Industry sources say Dell is expected to raise prices by at least 15-20%, with the increase potentially taking effect as soon as mid-December.

As reported by Bloomberg in late November, Dell COO Jeff Clarke warned that he’s “never seen memory-chip costs rise this fast,” noting that expenses are climbing across every product line.

Memory Price Surge Hits PCs, Lenovo, HP, Dell Brace for Impact

A notice obtained by industry sources shows Lenovo warning customers that all current quotations and prices will expire on January 1, 2026, citing two key factors: an intensifying memory shortage and the rapid integration of AI technologies.

According to Lenovo, on one front, global supply chain strains are sending memory costs soaring, rippling through to overall hardware pricing. At the same time, enterprises racing to deploy AI applications are fueling unprecedented demand for high-performance systems—further tightening supply and pushing prices upward. Thus, the company recommends placing orders as soon as possible to secure purchases at current prices and avoid additional costs resulting from price adjustments.

Chosun Biz reports that PC makers are under mounting profit pressure as key DRAM components—including DDR5—have jumped 70% YoY, with some parts spiking up to 170%. Global leaders like Lenovo, HP, and Dell, along with Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, are now reportedly rethinking their 2026 product roadmaps, including AI PCs and tablets, the report adds.

As per the Asia Business Daily, HP CEO Enrique Lores warned that H2 2026 could be especially tough, and prices may rise if needed. He reportedly noted that memory chips make up roughly 15–18% of a typical PC’s cost.

TrendForce’s latest report states that rising memory prices have significantly increased BOM costs in consumer electronics, prompting brands to raise retail prices and dampening market demand. As a result, TrendForce has downgraded its 2026 notebook shipment forecast from an initial 1.7% YoY growth to a 2.4% YoY decline.

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(Photo credit: Lenovo)