Rising memory and CPU prices could push the retail price of laptops in the low 100,000 yen range up by around 40% to maintain profit margins.
Market research firm TrendForce has released a report stating that the notebook PC market will face dual pressures of sluggish demand and rising component costs in 2026. Prices for memory products such as DRAM and NAND flash, as well as CPUs, are soaring, which could push the retail price of a typical notebook PC up by around 40% if manufacturers are to maintain current profit margins.
Rising Memory and CPU Prices Could Push Mainstream Notebook Prices Up by Nearly 40%, Says TrendForce
As if PC hardware news couldn't get any gloomier, one research report suggests mainstream laptop prices could rise by as much as 40% | PC Gamer
https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-laptops/as-if-pc-hardware-news-couldnt-get-any-gloomier-one-research-report-suggests-mainstream-laptop-prices-could-rise-by-as-much-as-40-percent/
As if PC hardware news couldn't get any gloomier, one research report suggests mainstream laptop prices could rise by as much as 40% | PC Gamer
https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-laptops/as-if-pc-hardware-news-couldnt-get-any-gloomier-one-research-report-suggests-mainstream-laptop-prices-could-rise-by-as-much-as-40-percent/
Specifically, the proportion of DRAM and SSDs, which typically account for about 15% of a laptop's bill of materials (BOM), is estimated to exceed 30% in the first quarter of 2026. Furthermore, Intel has already raised the prices of entry-level and older-generation CPUs by more than 15%, and plans to further raise prices for its flagship and mid- to high-end models in the second quarter of 2026.
For example, for a laptop that was originally priced at $900 (approximately 135,000 yen), the proportion of memory and CPU components in the total cost of the laptop could rise from approximately 45% to approximately 58%, bringing the final retail price to $1,260 (approximately 189,000 yen).
Market research firm Omdia predicts that, due to these rising prices, global PC shipments will fall 12% to 245 million units in 2026, with a significant 28% decline in low-cost devices such as Chromebooks.
Part of the price hike is due to a component shortage: As AI-related computing demands grow, cutting-edge manufacturing processes and packaging capacity are prioritized for high-performance products, putting pressure on the supply of entry-level CPUs.
This impact is not only being felt by Intel, but also by AMD's entry-level platforms, which have been stable up until now, as signs of inventory shortages are beginning to appear. In order to secure profits, PC manufacturers are prioritizing the allocation of limited components to more expensive higher-end models, which is further reducing lower-priced models and pushing up average selling prices.
In this market environment, Apple's MacBook Neo , priced at ¥99,800 (tax included), is expected to further expand its market share. According to 9to5Mac , the Apple news site, this model is Apple's most affordable laptop to date, equipped with the A18 Pro chip for smartphones, and is expected to sell between 4 million and 5 million units by 2026.
Apple's strong purchasing power has secured a long-term supply of components, and the company's policy of maintaining strategically low pricing has made the MacBook Neo even more attractive as competitors are forced to raise prices. As prices of other companies' laptops continue to rise, it has been pointed out that there is a possibility that customers, including those who have previously used Windows, will switch to the cost-effective MacBook Neo.
Related Posts:
in Hardware, Posted by log1i_yk