If You Need a Laptop, You May Want to Buy It Soon

Laptop prices are climbing fast. Dell's new XPS 14 launched in January 2026 at over $2,000, up from $1,550 for a comparable model just a year earlier. Asus's Zenbook Duo jumped from $1,700 to $2,400. Desktop components, graphics cards, and RAM are all following the same trend.

‍

What's Driving the Price Surge?

‍

The explosive investment in AI infrastructure is reshaping the economics of consumer electronics. AI companies are snapping up the same memory, storage, and processor components that go into your laptop, and they're paying a premium for them.

‍

A handful of manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC control nearly all production, and they're prioritizing AI-oriented hardware over consumer-grade parts. As a result, prices for laptops and PCs are already up as much as 20% year over year, and experts expect that trend to worsen through 2026 and into 2027.

‍

So, Should You Buy Now or Wait?

‍

Well, it looks like prices aren't coming back down anytime soon. Even if the AI boom cools off, the industry has already settled into higher pricing, and there's little competitive pressure to reverse it. On top of that, manufacturers are shifting their product lines toward mid-range and premium devices, which means fewer budget-friendly options on the shelves.

‍

So if you know you need a new laptop, now is the time to act. While 2025 models are still available at close-to-2025 prices. If you wait until later this year, you should budget 20% to 30% more than you normally would.

‍

But what if that kind of spending just isn't realistic right now? Here are some other options:

‍

Look at Refurbished and Older Models

‍

This is one of the smartest moves you can make. Year-over-year improvements in laptops are often incremental, and most of us won't notice the difference between a 2024 and a 2026 model for everyday tasks. Certified refurbished laptops from reputable sellers give you reliable hardware at a fraction of the new-device price, and they keep perfectly good electronics out of landfills.

‍

Also read: 9 Top Sites for Refurbished Tech

‍

Stretch What You Already Have

‍

Before you replace your laptop, try giving it a second wind. Clear out old files, uninstall software you don't use, and clean up your storage. Sometimes a sluggish machine just needs a little maintenance, not a replacement.

‍

Shop Around

‍

When prices do rise, they won't rise everywhere at the same time. Large retailers often hold prices longer thanks to stronger supplier contracts. If one store has already hiked prices, check others if they are still selling through older, lower-priced inventory.

‍

The bottom line: the window for affordable laptops is closing. Whether you buy new, go refurbished, or breathe new life into your current device, the best time to act is right now.

‍