Lenovo stockpiled sufficient RAM for 2026. It is nonetheless elevating PC costs

Mainly each PC maker that’s made a public assertion on the RAM disaster says it’s going to have to extend costs, or make different changes, like bumping mid-range laptops again down to simply 8GB of reminiscence. Lenovo, the biggest PC producer on the planet, was a contented exception, saying it had sufficient RAM to get via 2026. However apparently that wasn’t sufficient to maintain costs down.

In keeping with a report in Reuters, the corporate’s CEO instructed them that it’s elevating costs to “offset surging reminiscence prices.” You’re in all probability bored with listening to about it, however sure, it’s due to knowledge facilities and AI, that are a wholly totally different market from Lenovo’s bread and butter. The warning comes regardless of the corporate’s CFO stating again in November that it was stockpiling reminiscence and different essential parts, claiming that Lenovo had sufficient for all of 2026. Two totally different statements to 2 totally different shops from two totally different folks at two totally different instances, granted, however you’ll be able to’t assist however discover a little bit of discrepancy right here.

A latest gross sales growth might be a bit extra of a proof. The PC market is at present in a small however noticeable surge, as shoppers and companies with spending flexibility attempt to purchase earlier than costs go up. Nevertheless it’s February — absolutely Lenovo can’t have blown via a “stockpile” in two months, particularly since many of the PCs it intends to promote this yr haven’t even been made but. Lenovo is presumably hedging as its advance shopping for from suppliers both dries up or booms in value, the identical forces which are affecting different large-scale suppliers. Smaller firms, like Framework, get hit lots tougher as they must pay costs nearer to us mere shoppers.

That’s the macro learn of the state of affairs, anyway. You is also extra cynical and level out that if your entire trade raises its costs, Lenovo might merely bump as much as meet them with out a lot concern of client blowback. Lenovo might merely maintain costs decrease — it was notably the one desktop and laptop computer maker at CES that was keen to speak about costs for upcoming fashions. But when I’m considering like a C-suite govt, I’d positive be tempted to maneuver costs as much as increase income a little bit, making the most of the truth that consumers don’t have any actual options.

2026 continues to suck. In lots of attention-grabbing and assorted methods, however specifically, for anybody who needs to purchase issues that go beep.