Dell raises prices across its commercial product lineup, and corporate customers are about to feel it first. According to an internal document obtained by Business Insider, Dell will increase prices on business laptops, desktops, and related hardware starting December 17. In some cases, the hikes will reach as much as 30%.
Importantly, Dell warns customers that placing an order today for future delivery will not lock in current prices. As a result, many enterprises may face unexpected budget shocks in early 2026.
Why Dell Raises Prices Now
At the center of the decision sits one familiar culprit: memory.
Specifically, Dell points to RAM and storage pricing that it says is “out of our control.” AI hyperscalers continue to absorb massive volumes of DRAM and NAND, leaving traditional enterprise buyers exposed to rising costs.
As a result, Dell has chosen to pass those increases directly to its commercial customers.
Which Products Are Affected by Dell Price Increases
The impact is not evenly distributed. Instead, systems with higher memory and storage configurations take the biggest hit.
Starting December 17:
- Dell Pro and Pro Max systems with 32GB RAM will cost $130–$230 more
- 128GB RAM configurations will jump by $520–$765 per unit
- 1TB SSD options will rise by $55–$135
Meanwhile, even products unrelated to memory are not immune.
For example, the Dell Pro 55 Plus 4K monitor will increase from $1,349 to $1,499, despite not containing DRAM or NAND. Likewise, GPU upgrades will also become more expensive.
Dell Raises Prices on GPUs and AI Laptops Too
In addition to memory-heavy systems, Dell will raise prices on AI-focused hardware.
Notably:
- Laptops with Nvidia RTX Pro 500 Blackwell 6GB GPUs will increase by $66
- Upgrading to a 24GB Blackwell GPU will add $530 to the price
Therefore, AI-capable corporate laptops are about to get significantly more expensive.
Dell Warns: Ordering Early Will Not Lock Prices
Perhaps the most controversial detail involves Dell’s new sales guidance.
According to the leaked report, Dell is instructing its commercial sales teams to warn customers that “ordering today does not guarantee today’s pricing.” In addition, Dell is limiting discounts, even for large enterprise accounts.
As a result, traditional bulk-buy protections no longer apply.
Given that Dell’s commercial division accounts for roughly 85% of its client sales, the company clearly expects turbulence but believes demand will hold.
A Bad Signal for the Enterprise Hardware Market
Dell raises prices at a moment when many enterprises already face tightening IT budgets. Therefore, these changes may ripple far beyond Dell’s own balance sheet.
Industry executives now warn that RAM shortages could worsen into 2026 and beyond. Some suppliers even suggest the current memory crunch could stretch into the next decade.
If that proves true, Dell’s move may represent the beginning—not the peak—of enterprise hardware inflation.
Final Takeaway
Dell raises prices not because of optional upgrades or premium features, but because core components have become scarce. For corporate buyers, that reality changes procurement strategy overnight.
In short, the AI boom is no longer just a hyperscaler problem. It is now reshaping enterprise IT costs across the board.
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