- Rising RAM prices are becoming the biggest driver of notebook cost increases
- Processor price increases add significant pressure to already strained notebook supply chains
- Demand for AI infrastructure is quietly reducing chip availability for entry-level notebooks
Laptop prices could rise sharply in the coming quarters as memory and processor costs rise across the global supply chain.
New figures from TrendForce claim that the combined effect of rising component prices could push notebook retail prices higher if manufacturers try to maintain current profit margins.
The report estimates that a standard notebook that originally sold for around $900 could see price increases of up to 40% if both processor and memory costs continue to rise.
The article continues below
Memory price increase can change notebook prices
Under typical conditions, memory components such as RAM and SSD represent about 15% of a notebook’s bill of materials.
After several quarters of price gains, TrendForce claims the stock could exceed 30% this year, and producers may have to adjust accordingly.
This means that memory components alone could lead to a large price increase due to tighter supply conditions affecting DRAM and NAND flash.
Processor costs are rising along with memory prices, adding another layer of pressure on notebook production costs.
According to TrendForce’s supply chain observations, Intel has already raised the prices of certain entry-level and older notebook processors by more than 15%.
Additional increases affecting mainstream and higher end notebook platforms may follow over the next few quarters.
Processors already account for one of the largest parts of a notebook’s bill of materials.
When both CPUs and RAM increase simultaneously, their combined share of system cost can increase from around 45% to nearly 58%.
These increases could translate into retail prices rising close to 40% if manufacturers and distributors maintain their current margin structures.
Supply volatility could exacerbate the situation as demand for AI infrastructure drives manufacturing capacity toward high-performance computer processors.
This leaves fewer resources available for lower-end notebook chips, and the shift has begun to tighten supply for entry-level notebook processors.
The effects of component cost increases will not be uniform across the industry. Large manufacturers with long-term purchasing agreements can secure better prices and stable allocations from suppliers.
Smaller suppliers may face greater cost pressures and shipping uncertainty as supply fluctuates.
Competition between processor suppliers also affects delivery conditions. Notebook manufacturers are increasingly relying on both Intel and AMD platforms.
This reliance has gradually increased AMD’s share of the notebook processor market.
However, reports indicate shortages of certain entry-level AMD platforms, suggesting tighter supply conditions across multiple processor ecosystems.
Rising component costs can affect a wide range of systems, including premium notebooks for consumers and business notebooks for businesses.
Whether retail prices rise to the full extent that TrendForce expects will likely depend on how manufacturers absorb costs, negotiate supply contracts and manage demand.
Via TechPowerUp
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can too follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, video unboxings, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
