Laptop prices could be heading for a sharp jump over the next year. This is because rising component costs begin to squeeze manufacturers.
According to new research from TrendForce, the combined impact of memory and CPU price increases could push the retail price of a typical notebook up by nearly 40%.
The firm modelled the scenario using a mainstream laptop with a $900 MSRP. This is a price point that currently sits in the mid-range of the market.
Under normal conditions, memory components like DRAM and SSD storage account for roughly 15% of a notebook’s bill of materials (BOM). However, after several quarters of rising prices and tightening supply, that share could climb to more than 30%. This increase is expected by early 2026.
If brands want to maintain their existing margins across the supply chain, that alone could push retail prices up by over 30%.
Memory isn’t the only cost increasing, either. The research firm notes that Intel has already raised prices on some entry-level and older notebook CPUs by more than 15%. There are also further increases planned for mainstream platforms in the coming months. Since processors are already one of the most expensive parts of a laptop, higher CPU pricing compounds the pressure created by memory shortages.
Put the two together and the impact becomes much clearer. It estimates that memory and CPU components combined could account for around 58% of a notebook’s total build cost. Previously, this figure was roughly 45%. In that scenario, laptop makers may have little choice but to pass the increases on to consumers.
Furthermore, supply issues are adding another layer of uncertainty. As demand for AI and high-performance computing hardware grows, chip manufacturing capacity is increasingly being prioritised for those products. That shift has started to squeeze supply for entry-level notebook processors, making them harder for manufacturers to secure.
Larger brands are expected to weather the situation better thanks to long-term supplier relationships and higher purchasing volumes. Smaller laptop makers, however, could face tougher negotiations and greater pricing pressure if component costs continue to climb.
AMD processors have become a more attractive alternative in recent years, helping some manufacturers diversify their supply chains. But even there, early signs of entry-level CPU shortages are beginning to emerge.
The result is a tricky year ahead for those looking to make the best laptop. Demand has already softened in some regions. If component costs continue rising through 2026, buyers may soon notice that upgrading their laptop comes with a much steeper price tag than before.
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