Rumors of a sharp rise in computer and laptop prices have been circulating in recent weeks, prompting concerns among consumers.
To clarify the situation, Oxu.Az visited several electronics stores across Baku.
Retailers say there is no immediate price jump, though they acknowledge that new models released early each year typically arrive with higher price tags.
Alovsat, an electronics store owner, told the outlet that demand for computers has been declining steadily:
“After the slowdown in smartphone sales, we’ve seen a significant drop in demand for laptops and desktop PCs. This trend continues every year, so I do not expect prices to rise.”
An importer who sources most of his inventory from China added that his overseas partners also do not foresee a short-term spike.
Analysts See It Differently: AI Is Reshaping the Memory Market
Global research firms, however, warn that the computer market is entering a new phase driven by the explosive expansion of artificial intelligence. According to industry analysts, AI is putting unprecedented pressure on memory supply chains, indirectly pushing up PC prices.
Both DRAM (used as system memory) and NAND (used in SSD storage) are entering what experts call the “AI super-cycle” in 2025–2026. Manufacturers are diverting more production toward HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) – a premium class of ultra-fast memory for AI servers — reducing supply for consumer-grade components.
Forecasts suggest:
DRAM supply deficit in 2026: 1.8%
NAND supply deficit in 2026: 4%
DRAM contract prices for PC makers could rise 15–20% by Q4 2025
NAND prices may increase 5–10%
Rising component costs, analysts say, will force PC manufacturers to pass these expenses on to consumers.
PC Prices Likely to Rise 5-15% by 2026
Industry experts predict that the average retail price of personal computers may increase 5-10% by 2026, with the possibility of reaching 10–15% under stronger supply constraints.
Another factor is the rapid emergence of AI PCs – a new category of computers equipped with dedicated neural processing units. More than 50% of PCs sold in 2026 are expected to fall into this premium segment, pushing overall price levels higher.
Even major manufacturing hubs such as China and India have limited ability to offset global component shortages. Any price reductions will be confined to ultra-budget models with lower performance.
PC Market Growth Slows, but Revenue Continues to Rise
Global PC shipments are expected to moderate slightly in 2026 after a peak in 2025. According to forecasts from IDC and other analytics firms, worldwide sales will reach 265-270 million units. However, because a larger share of these will be AI-enabled – and therefore more expensive – total industry revenue is projected to keep growing.
