New laptops and PCs are getting more expensive in 2026, and the main reason is the cost of memory and storage. If your current machine has a fault, it is worth knowing what is behind the price rises before you decide whether to repair or replace it.
Memory is now a much bigger share of the cost
In February 2026 the research firm Gartner forecast that DRAM and SSD prices together would rise by about 130% by the end of the year. Because memory and storage are a large part of what goes into a computer, Gartner expected that to push up the average price of a PC by 17% compared with 2025, and smartphones by 13%.
Gartner also expected memory to make up around 23% of the cost of the parts in a PC, up from 16% in 2025, and said it expected the cheapest segment of the market, PCs under $500, to disappear by 2028.
Some new laptops are getting smaller SSDs
To keep prices down, manufacturers have been trimming specifications. TrendForce reported in September 2026 that laptop makers were reducing SSD capacities in mainstream models. A new laptop at the same price as last year’s may come with less storage, so check the specification carefully before you buy.
People are keeping their computers longer
Gartner expects people to hold on to their computers for longer as a result: it forecast PC lifetimes rising by about 15% for businesses and 20% for home users by the end of 2026. If your current machine still does what you need, repairing or upgrading it can be the cheaper way to get a few more years from it.
Repair, upgrade or replace?
- Repair is often the better buy. Common faults such as a cracked screen, a failed charging port, a worn keyboard or a liquid spill can usually be fixed for far less than the cost of a new machine.
- Check whether it can be upgraded. On many thin laptops, and on all Apple silicon MacBooks, the memory is built into the board and can’t be added to later. Others still have slots for memory or a replaceable SSD. We can tell you which yours has.
- Keep your data safe either way. Back up before any repair or replacement. If the old drive has already failed, our data recovery service starts with a free evaluation.
Not sure which way to go? Bring your laptop or Mac to our Central London repair centre, or book a courier collection, for a free evaluation and a fixed quote before any work starts. See our laptop repair and Apple Mac repair pages for what we fix.
Sources
- Gartner, 26 February 2026: Gartner says surging memory costs will reduce global PC and smartphone shipments in 2026
- TrendForce, 30 September 2026: AI server demand sustains memory contract price increases in 4Q26