Intel could make your next computer more expensive
Global economic inflation is driving up the prices of almost everything, from groceries to cars. Intel is now raising the prices of its processors and other chips, which could contribute to higher PC prices.
Nikkei first reported that Intel is raising prices on several of its products later this year, including processors, Wi-Fi cards and other hardware. According to the report, Intel has already informed its customers (PC manufacturers) of the price changes. Higher component costs almost always mean the finished product has a higher price tag, so it's possible that many laptops and desktops will be more expensive this upcoming holiday season.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to avoid higher prices by buying a computer that uses another company's processors. TSMC, the semiconductor maker that makes chips for companies like AMD, Qualcomm (Snapdragon), Samsung, Apple and countless other companies raised prices in May, after previously raising them by as much as 20% in august. This does not include all the other components of modern computers that are now more expensive to produce, such as memory and storage.
It's hard to tell when rising electronics prices are the result of supply chain issues or just good old corporate greed, but it's not hard to find recent examples of computers more expensive. Apple's new MacBook Air starts at $200 more than the previous 2020 model, which Apple also continues to sell as a budget alternative.
The near future of the global economy and supply chain is still uncertain, so you shouldn't feel rushed to buy a new laptop if you don't need it right away. PC shipments fell 6,8% in the first quarter of 2022, according to analyst firm Gartner, after record spikes when many people bought computers to work from home. Even as component prices rise, PC makers might keep prices affordable to eliminate stockpiled inventory.
Source: Nikkei, The Verge
