If hardware quotes have started coming in higher than expected, it is not necessarily a one-supplier issue. Many businesses are seeing tighter availability and more price movement across some PC and laptop models, especially where memory and storage configurations matter most. The main driver is the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, which is pulling memory supply towards higher-demand server products and putting pressure on standard device components.
Reuters has reported this shift in conventional DRAM supply as manufacturers prioritise AI-related memory.
Why are hardware quotes increasing right now?
In plain terms, quotes are increasing because key components are in short supply, and that pressure is now flowing into finished device pricing. The biggest effects tend to show up in configurations where RAM and storage choices are central to the price.
Which components are driving price changes?
RAM and storage are the two most common pressure points in business PC and laptop quotes right now. When memory pricing rises or availability tightens, OEMs and distributors often pass the increase through to finished devices rather than absorbing it.
Reuters reported that Samsung and SK Hynix warned of a worsening DRAM squeeze for PC and smartphone makers as capacity is being directed toward AI-related memory demand, including HBM for AI servers. Samsung and SK Hynix also account for roughly two-thirds of the DRAM market, which helps explain why the impact is broad rather than isolated to one brand. Reuters reports on Samsung and SK Hynix warning of memory supply pressure.
Why quotes feel less predictable than usual
The issue is not always “no stock”. More often, it is a moving target: a model is available one week, then repriced, delayed, or replaced with an alternative the next.
A common example is a business approving a laptop quote after an internal sign-off delay, only to find the same model has changed in price or lead time. In this kind of market, quote variability can feel like supplier inconsistency, but the underlying driver is usually wider component allocation and pricing pressure.
The practical takeaway is that procurement timelines now matter more than usual, even for standard business devices.
How is AI infrastructure affecting memory and storage supply?
AI infrastructure is the main reason this is happening at scale. The short version is simple: large AI and cloud providers are buying huge volumes of memory-related components, and manufacturers are prioritising those higher-demand, higher-margin product lines.
Why AI data centres are using so much memory
AI workloads are not just a GPU story. They also require substantial memory and storage capacity across training and deployment environments, which increases pressure across the memory ecosystem.
Reuters report on projected AI infrastructure spending in 2026. Reuters has separately reported that Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft are expected to collectively invest about $650 billion in AI-related infrastructure in 2026, up from $410 billion in 2025, based on a Bridgewater analysis. That scale of infrastructure spend helps explain why upstream demand remains intense.
Why manufacturers prioritise some memory products
When supply is tight, manufacturers prioritise the products with the strongest demand and margins. Reuters reported that chipmakers have diverted capacity toward HBM for AI servers, squeezing conventional DRAM used in mainstream devices, and also noted a more conservative approach to capacity expansion after earlier industry overexpansion. Reuters further reported that Samsung said expansion would remain limited in 2026 and 2027.
Micron’s investor release for fiscal Q1 2026 also explicitly frames its results around “AI demand acceleration”, which supports the broader market picture from the supplier side.
The business implication is straightforward. Even if your organisation is buying ordinary laptops, you still rely on a supply chain being reshaped by AI demand upstream.
What does this mean for business PC and laptop buying in 2026
Most businesses will still be able to buy devices. The bigger challenge is that purchasing becomes less predictable, with more substitutions, pricing changes, and timing pressure.
What businesses may notice when requesting quotes
Businesses may notice:
- a higher quote variability between weeks
- Certain laptop models are unavailable at the previous spec
- substitutions across brand or model line
- more pressure to confirm orders quickly
Reuters reported that SK Hynix said some PC and mobile customers were adjusting purchase volumes and even considering memory specification changes in price-sensitive ranges due to recent memory price increases. Reuters also reported IDC’s estimate that the PC market could shrink at least 4.9% in 2026 after growth in the prior year.
How does this affect onboarding and replacement plans
The impact is most visible when purchases are time-sensitive, such as:
- onboarding new starters
- replacing failed devices
- supporting small team expansions
- completing planned rollouts before a deadline
A practical example is a new starter laptop request that previously fit a standard 16GB RAM / larger SSD spec, but now needs either a substitute model or a revised configuration to stay within budget.
| Scenario | What may happen | Better response |
| The new starter joins next week | Preferred laptop is delayed or repriced | Approve an equivalent model in advance |
| Device failure | Like-for-like replacement is unavailable | Use a role-based alternative list |
| Planned refresh batch | Quotes move during the approval cycle | Break buying into staged approvals |
The key point is to build flexibility into approvals before the request becomes urgent.
Are desktops and laptops being affected in the same way?
They are both affected, but not always in the same way. In many cases, desktops are easier to source flexibly, while laptops are more sensitive to exact model availability and fixed OEM configurations.
Why desktops may still be easier to source
Desktop procurement often allows more component and configuration flexibility. That makes it easier to work around stock changes or adjust specifications without replacing the whole platform choice.
This does not mean desktops are immune to cost pressure. It simply means the path to an acceptable alternative can be easier.
Why are certain laptops harder to replace like-for-like
Laptops are usually tied to fixed model families and preconfigured OEM options. When a component cost shifts or a line is constrained, the exact device your business previously bought may no longer be available at the same price point or timescale.
Reuters’ reporting on manufacturers and customers adjusting specs and purchase volumes aligns with this pattern, especially for price-sensitive devices. So the planning priority should be compatibility and role fit, not strict loyalty to one exact SKU.
Should businesses buy now or wait?
There is no single answer for every business. The best decision depends on urgency, hiring plans, device age, and how much flexibility you have on model choice.
When it makes sense to buy sooner
Buying sooner is usually sensible when:
- A new start date is fixed
- A rollout is already scheduled
- A device has failed
- A security or support risk cannot be deferred
- The budget is approved and ready to use
In these cases, the cost of waiting can be higher than the cost of a modest price increase.
When monitoring may be reasonable
Waiting may be reasonable when:
- The refresh is optional
- Current devices remain fit for purpose
- Deployment timing is flexible
- You can defer without creating operational risk
The goal is to avoid panic buying while still protecting continuity.
A sensible middle ground
A practical middle ground is to prepare options before you need them:
- Define role-based device standards
- Pre-approve a good and better option
- Agree on acceptable substitutions by performance, not just model number
- Review quote validity windows before approvals
This approach reduces decision delays and helps businesses respond calmly if prices move while approvals are underway.
Why some businesses may be less exposed in the short term
Not every business will feel this immediately. Some organisations have recently refreshed, reducing short-term exposure to higher device pricing.
Many businesses brought forward upgrades because of Windows 10’s end of support. Microsoft states Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, and also notes Microsoft 365 Apps support on Windows 10 ends on the same date, even though security updates for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 continue for a limited period while organisations upgrade.
That means many businesses now have a younger device fleet than they would have had otherwise.
Even with a recent refresh, exposure can still show up in:
- new hires
- break-fix replacements
- departments expanding faster than planned
- delayed refreshes that are now becoming urgent
So the message is not “buy everything now”. It is a practical heads-up to allow for higher quotes and more flexibility if you do need hardware.
How to reduce hardware budget risk while the market stays volatile
The best response is better planning, not panic buying. A few simple procurement habits can materially reduce budget surprises and delays.
Plan demand earlier than usual
Where possible, forecast hardware demand 3 to 6 months ahead. Hiring plans, replacement cycles, and known rollout dates are all useful signals. Earlier visibility does not lock you into immediate purchases, but it does improve your options.
Reduce dependency on one exact model
Standardise by role and performance level rather than one SKU. For example, define what is acceptable for admin users, power users, and mobile staff, then approve alternatives in advance. This makes substitutions easier if a preferred laptop becomes unavailable.
Protect budgets from quote drift
A few small process steps help:
- Check quote validity periods before internal approvals
- Confirm pricing again before raising the PO
- Keep a small contingency for refresh projects
- Prioritise urgent purchases separately from optional upgrades
The aim is not perfect prediction. It is reducing the number of surprises that disrupt timelines and budgets.
How AGT helps clients manage pricing and availability changes
This kind of market is where clear communication and planning support matter most. Clients usually need practical options, not just a headline about shortages.
What AGT is already doing
AGT can support clients by monitoring availability, recommending suitable alternatives, and keeping specifications aligned to business needs rather than forcing a like-for-like replacement in every case. AGT’s service pages also position the business around ongoing support and infrastructure planning, including managed IT support, IT infrastructure consulting, and IT infrastructure management services.
What clients can expect from AGT conversations
A useful client conversation here should cover:
- What has changed in pricing or availability
- Which alternatives are realistic
- What trade-offs matter most
- Whether to buy now, stage purchases, or wait
The focus should remain on business continuity and planning confidence, not fear-based buying.
Want a clearer hardware roadmap for the next 12 months
If a business expects new hires, replacements, or a refresh cycle this year, a short planning review can prevent rushed decisions later.
What a Quarterly Business Review covers
A practical QBR can include:
- current device age and lifecycle position
- upcoming hires and role requirements
- likely refresh windows
- budget planning priorities
- acceptable hardware alternatives if pricing shifts
This turns hardware buying into a roadmap discussion rather than a series of urgent quotes.
How to book a QBR
If you are using the client email version of this message, this is the right place to add the booking CTA and named contacts. Use the final live booking URL once confirmed and insert it in the anchor text Book a Quarterly Business Review with William Thackray.
If someone prefers to talk first, a simpler route is to contact AGT. The contact page is positioned for businesses requesting support and services.
Conclusion
AI infrastructure demand is reshaping the hardware supply chain, and memory is one of the clearest pressure points. For most businesses, the result is not a total lack of devices, but more pricing volatility, substitutions, and tighter decision windows.
The best response is early planning, flexible specifications, and clear priorities around urgent versus optional purchases. If you want help planning upcoming hires, replacements, or refreshes, now is a good time to contact AGT.
FAQs
Why are laptop prices rising in 2026?
Laptop prices are rising mainly because memory and storage supply have tightened, and those component costs can feed into finished device pricing. The effect is often stronger on specific models or configurations rather than on every laptop across the board.
Is AI demand causing the memory shortage?
AI demand is a major driver. Large AI and cloud infrastructure investments are increasing demand for memory products, especially higher-performance memory used in servers, which can reduce the supply available for standard devices.
Are desktops easier to buy than laptops right now?
Often, yes. Desktops usually allow more configuration flexibility, so it can be easier to find acceptable alternatives. Laptops are more dependent on fixed OEM model lines and preset specifications.
Should we delay replacing office PCs this year?
Not automatically. If the replacement is urgent or tied to onboarding, security, or reliability, delaying can create bigger problems. If it is optional and the devices are still fit for purpose, monitoring and planning may be reasonable.
Is this likely to continue into 2027?
It may. Current reporting suggests supply pressure could persist through 2026 and potentially beyond, depending on capacity expansion and AI demand. The safest planning assumption is continued volatility rather than a quick return to normal.
