PC makers say soaring AI workloads are straining supply chains
and pushing up prices for computers and electronics.
Dell and HP are warning that heavy AI demand is tightening global memory chip supplies.
The resulting shortages are expected to raise PC and electronics costs well into 2026.
Major PC manufacturers Dell and HP are sounding the alarm over emerging memory chip shortages driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence workloads. As AI servers, data centers and advanced PCs compete for the same high-bandwidth memory, supply is tightening and lead times are growing longer.
Executives from both companies say the crunch is already affecting planning for 2025 and 2026, with component prices trending higher and some configurations harder to secure. For consumers and businesses, that pressure is likely to translate into more expensive laptops, desktops and workstations, particularly those optimized for AI tasks.
The shortages highlight how the AI boom is rippling across the broader tech ecosystem, affecting not only cloud providers and chipmakers but also traditional PC vendors. Industry analysts note that manufacturers are now forced to prioritize high-margin, AI-ready models over budget systems in order to make the most of limited memory supply.
Policymakers and industry groups are once again calling for diversification of supply chains, increased investment in chip fabrication and better coordination across the sector. Until those efforts bear fruit, buyers may face higher prices, reduced choice and longer delivery times for advanced hardware.
