Companies have been accustomed for years to the fact that the actual cost of a laptop is not what the brochure shows, but what the supply chain dictates. But in the coming weeks, this message will resonate louder. Dell is preparing significant price increases in its commercial laptop catalog, with increases that, according to leaked information, could reach up to 30%. And the recurring reason is one that the industry knows all too well: the price of memory (RAM) is skyrocketing, and the manufacturer considers it “beyond their control”.
The change is not minor for two reasons. First: it affects the business line, meaning equipment purchased by companies, governments, and large accounts—not individual consumers who buy a laptop “for home”. Second: Dell appears to be warning its sales teams and customers about something that breaks a basic expectation in corporate buying: placing an order today for future delivery does not guarantee the current price.
Practically, this introduces a new layer of uncertainty for IT and procurement departments: the budget might be approved, but the final price could change before the equipment arrives at the warehouse.
What will increase and by how much: the pain point is where it hurts most
The clearest picture of the adjustment is in components that, by 2025, have become “bottlenecks” in any modern configuration: RAM, SSD, and GPU.
Based on the ranges being discussed, the scheme would look something like this:
- Dell Pro and Pro Max with 32 GB of RAM: increases of $130 to $230.
- Dell Pro and Pro Max with 128 GB of RAM: much sharper increases, of $520 to $765.
- Dell Pro/Pro Max laptops with 1 TB SSD: increases of $55 to $135.
- Dell 55 Plus Monitor: increase of $150.
- AI laptops with RTX Pro 500 (6 GB): increase of $66.
- AI laptops with RTX Pro 500 (24 GB): increase of $530.
You don’t need to be an analyst to see the pattern: the more memory and the more “premium configuration,” the greater the impact. And this aligns with what many companies are feeling: the jump from 16 GB to 32 GB is no longer a luxury, and 64/128 GB configurations are becoming common in technical profiles, data work, light virtualization, development, or mobile workstations.
The obvious consequence: if the increase is focused on high RAM, equipment usually purchased for critical roles (engineering, security, data science, CAD, local AI) will become more expensive.
“Order now” doesn’t mean “lock in the price”: the message that worries corporate clients
Beyond the figures, the most notable change is the shift in sales tone. Dell appears to be urging its sales teams to prioritize closing deals quickly with large accounts and, at the same time, warn customers that ordering today does not secure the price if delivery is later.
This nuance is key in the B2B world. Many corporate purchases follow a process such as:
- budget approval,
- bidding or offer comparison,
- purchase orders with deadlines,
- staggered deliveries across locations.
If the price remains “open” until invoicing or delivery, the customer faces two uncomfortable scenarios:
- Unexpected cost increases, even if the purchase process started “on time”;
- Increased pressure to accelerate orders (and thus, stock tensions).
In other words: the increase not only raises costs but also accelerates decision-making. When everyone accelerates simultaneously, the likelihood of stock shortages or delays grows.
The end of “lifeline” discounts: even big accounts are not immune
Another sensitive point: Dell is reportedly limiting discounts, even those usual volume agreements that typically help mitigate volatility.
In practice, this means that the classic “nothing to worry about, we’re a large account” no longer provides total protection. If the manufacturer perceives that the market is in a special phase (and component costs will keep rising), it will cut back on commercial margins.
The underlying message is simple: margins are tightening, and the company is trying to protect profitability without completely halting sales growth. But there’s a cost: corporate clients feel they are losing control.
Why this matters: RAM and storage are becoming strategic again
For years, RAM was a relatively “boring” component for most buyers: choosing a reasonable amount was enough. In 2025/2026, this changes for three main reasons:
- More heavy software by default (browsers, collaboration suites, security tools, agents, telemetry).
- Local workloads previously handled on servers (containers, development, analysis, lightweight AI models).
- Device refresh cycles with higher requirements (performance, security, support).
If RAM increases, configurations enabling the full lifecycle of the device also rise. And if SSDs and specific GPU profiles are added, the impact multiplies on equipment designed to “last.”
What companies can do (without panicking)
With a realistic approach and without dramatizing, IT and procurement can respond with common-sense measures:
- Review standard configurations: perhaps maintain 32 GB as a baseline for advanced productivity profiles and reserve 64/128 GB only where clearly justified.
- Plan purchases in waves: if an increase is imminent, early upgrades (when appropriate) can avoid future tensions.
- Negotiate pricing conditions by contract: if the supplier doesn’t “lock” the price with an order, try to do it with a framework agreement or specific clause.
- Consider upgrade alternatives: buying with less RAM and adding later can be feasible… but beware: more and more devices solder memory or limit upgrades.
- Analyze total cost: a “cheap” device with 16 GB could turn out expensive if it forces earlier replacement or hampers productivity.
A symptom of something bigger
This Dell move, focused on the business segment, is seen as a sign that the pressure on DRAM and NAND is no longer just a rumor from tech enthusiasts (gaming PCs, modders, etc.) but is affecting core enterprise spending.
When the costs rise for corporate laptops—the tools used by millions of employees—it ceases to be a market anecdote and becomes a matter of financial planning. And if the message is “your order doesn’t lock the price,” then the problem extends beyond costs: it’s about operational uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will be affected by Dell’s price increases?
Primarily the corporate/business (B2B) segment: companies, large accounts, and corporate procurement.
Why are configurations with more RAM (like 128 GB) increasing so much?
Because the increase appears linked to price and availability pressure on memory, with the impact being higher at higher configurations.
Does ordering today guarantee the current price if delivery is weeks or months away?
According to the reports, no: customers are being warned that a future delivery order could not maintain the current price.
Should companies buy now or wait?
It depends on renewal cycles and the risk of cost overruns. The prudent approach is review inventory and needs, and if unavoidable purchases are coming up soon, advance them or secure a price through a contract.