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Are laptop prices going up in 2026? Yes, and this is why

2026-03-16

Are laptop prices going up in 2026? Yes, and this is why

Business laptop prices are going up significantly. Nearly all major brands — Dell, Lenovo, HP, Microsoft and Apple — have announced or already implemented price increases. And this is only the beginning.

What's happening?

Two factors are driving prices up:

  • Global memory shortage — Demand for DRAM and NAND flash memory exceeds supply. The explosive growth of AI data centres is consuming enormous amounts of memory, leaving less available for consumer electronics and business laptops. Manufacturers are paying more for components and passing that cost on.
  • Trade conflicts and import tariffs — Current geopolitical unrest and new import tariffs are making the supply chain more expensive and unpredictable. Shipping costs are rising, lead times are increasing, and manufacturers are building risk margins into their pricing.

The result: laptops that cost €1,100 today will soon be €1,250 or more.

Which brands are affected?

Microsoft has been the first to take concrete action: Surface prices are going up as of 1 April 2026. Given rising component costs and import tariffs, other brands are expected to follow. The underlying causes — more expensive memory and higher supply chain costs — affect all manufacturers.

Lead times are increasing significantly

On top of price increases, we're seeing extremely long lead times. Where you'd normally receive a business laptop within one to two weeks, delivery times are now stretching to weeks or even months. This can directly impact your operations: a new employee starting without a workstation, a broken device that can't be replaced quickly, or a planned expansion stalling because the hardware simply isn't available.

What can you do now?

The best strategy is simple: check what's currently in stock and order before the new prices take effect.

Our Universal Preferred Devices page shows all business laptops we can currently deliver — at current prices. Every device meets our strict business standard:

  • Windows 11 Pro or macOS for enterprise security
  • Minimum 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD
  • Copilot+ PC ready (Windows models)
  • Business support and warranty

Why act now?

  • Current stock = current prices — As long as we have devices in stock or can deliver quickly, current rates apply
  • Lead times are increasing — Supply chain issues mean longer delivery times. Order now and get your device sooner
  • Budget planning — If you know you need to replace devices this year, you can still stay within your original budget

Plan ahead

Do you have a device refresh planned for Q2 or Q3? Consider moving it forward. The difference can add up to hundreds of euros per device — with a fleet of ten or more laptops, that's a serious saving.

Not sure which model best fits your organisation? Contact us for tailored advice. We're happy to help you make the right choice — before prices go up even further.

Universal Preferred Devices

Order now at current prices

Browse our complete selection of business laptops before price increases take effect.

View available stock →

Frequently asked questions

Are laptop prices going up in 2026?

Yes. Nearly all major brands, including Dell, Lenovo, HP, Microsoft and Apple, have announced or already implemented price increases. Microsoft was the first with a concrete step: Surface prices went up on 1 April 2026. The underlying causes, more expensive memory and higher supply chain costs, affect every manufacturer, so other brands are expected to follow.

Why are business laptops getting more expensive?

Two factors drive the increase. The first is a global shortage of DRAM and NAND flash memory: the explosive growth of AI data centres consumes enormous amounts of memory, leaving less for business laptops, so manufacturers pay more for components and pass that cost on. The second is trade conflicts and new import tariffs, which make the supply chain more expensive and less predictable, raise shipping costs and stretch lead times.

What can you do about rising laptop prices?

Check what is currently in stock and order before the new prices take effect. Our Universal Preferred Devices page shows the business laptops we can deliver right now at current prices. Every device meets our business standard: Windows 11 Pro or macOS, at least 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, Copilot+ PC ready for Windows models, and business support with warranty.

How long are laptop lead times right now?

Where you would normally receive a business laptop within one to two weeks, delivery times are now stretching to weeks or even months because of supply chain problems. That has direct consequences: a new employee starting without a workstation, a broken device that cannot be replaced quickly, or a planned expansion stalling because the hardware is not available.

Want to learn more?

Contact Universal Cloud to discuss how we can help your organization.

Get in touch

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