PC Maker Urges Consumers to Buy Now Amid AI-Driven Component Shortages
What is the serious underside of the parts shortage caused by the “AI boom” that has manufacturers screaming. (photo for illustration purposes)PC prices are about to rise――. Such ominous rumors are spreading across the internet. The prices of memory, which is essential for PC operation, and storage devices (SSDs, etc.) used to save data, have reportedly jumped several times over a short period since around this fall.
Backing up these observations, PC manufacturer Mouse Computer posted an unusual appeal on the official site of X (formerly Twitter), which has caused a stir.
Mouse Computer’s painful cry draws attention
On December 10, the account posted in a sense of urgency:
“For those currently considering buying a PC: I’m not saying this lightly, but we strongly recommend purchasing as soon as possible!! Really!! If you’re buying, now is the time!!”
Furthermore, on December 16, it wrote:
“Due to orders far exceeding expectations, factory congestion and parts shortages have occurred, and some products may experience sales suspension and shipping delays. Price changes are scheduled to be implemented sequentially from January onward.”
This made the impact of the shortage more concrete.
What exactly is happening with PC parts? Tsukasa Tokuhira, representative of Cross Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo), an expert in the home electronics industry, revealed the dire situation on site:
“Starting in December, the shortage of memory and other data storage components has become noticeable. In particular, some items for gaming have suddenly increased in unit price. The further you go, the more pronounced the shortage becomes, and we expect prices to rise into 2026.”
AI-driven demand surge behind price hike data storage parts in fierce competition
The background is the recent “AI boom.” Parts are being traded at higher prices for AI data centers than for general consumers, so supply is being drawn to those centers.
Major brands of data storage components include South Korea’s Samsung and SK Hynix, and the U.S.’s Crucial. However, in December, the company behind Crucial announced it would withdraw from the consumer market.
“The supply and demand for AI has tightened, and it has become a profitable business. It’s a seller’s market now,” said Tsukasa Tokuhira (same below).
Tokuhira continued, pointing out the current situation where consumer-oriented business is being deprioritized. For a typical PC priced at 100,000 yen, data storage parts account for roughly 20%—about 20,000 yen. If the unit price of these parts jumps 1.5 times, the final PC price will increase by roughly 10,000 yen.
“From this year, consumer PCs with AI features have begun full-scale sales. Data storage parts are also getting larger in capacity. If you’re just working with Microsoft Word or Excel, there’s no problem, but handling videos or images consumes quite a lot of data.”
Waiting for the Spring Models Could Backfire Even Low-Cost Smartphones Might Disappear
When is the right time to buy? Major PC manufacturers secure parts contracts in advance, so the components for PCs that sold well in the December bonus season were already procured by October. However, inventory is limited.
“The next sales season is in March, at the end of the fiscal year. April is the start of the new fiscal year, and sales tend to be strong then. It’s highly likely that prices will have risen considerably by spring.”
The impact isn’t limited to PCs. Some smartphones may also be affected, with certain manufacturers potentially discontinuing low-cost models and shifting toward mid-range and higher-priced products.
“There are also concerns that parts of the supply chain could temporarily be disrupted.”
If you’re considering replacing your PC, now—while supply is stable—is the time to act. The best opportunities are leftover stock from the December sales season or items during New Year’s first sales.
“For most people, it’s fine to buy a PC without AI features.”
Tsukasa Tokuhira advises this and also recommends considering trusted vendors for purchasing used PCs as another option.
Not Just PCs! Lighting and Air Conditioners Too Best Targets Are Last-Year Models and First Sales
The wave of price increases and supply shortages is affecting other home appliances as well. For example, lighting equipment: with fluorescent lamp production ending at the end of 2027, the shift to LEDs is accelerating, but just like with PCs, concerns exist about shortages because the number of manufacturers supplying core components is limited.
Additionally, air conditioners face the 2027 problem, when new energy-saving standards will take effect.
“In 2027, air conditioner prices will skyrocket.”
PCs, lighting, air conditioners. For anyone planning to replace home appliances from this year-end into next year, there’s little time to wait. Acting now—taking advantage of last-year leftovers or used items—is a smart self-defense strategy.
Interview and text by： Hideki Asai PHOTO： Afro