Lenovo is stockpiling 50% more memory than usual to weather the PC parts shortage caused by the AI boom, and expects it to last until 2026
PC maker Lenovo is reportedly stockpiling memory and other PC parts to combat the supply shortages caused by the AI boom. According to the company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Winston Chen, Lenovo is holding roughly 50% more inventory than usual.
Lenovo Stockpiling PC Memory Due to 'Unprecedented' AI Squeeze - Bloomberg
Lenovo stockpiles RAM as prices skyrocket, reportedly has enough inventory to last through 2026 — memory stock claimed to be 50% higher than usual to fight pricing shock | Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ram/lenovo-stockpiles-ram-as-prices-skyrocket-reportedly-has-enough-inventory-to-last-through-2026-memory-stock-claimed-to-be-50-percent-higher-than-usual-to-fight-pricing-shock
Semiconductor manufacturers are prioritizing supplies to AI chipmakers like Nvidia, meaning DRAM supply to the general market is not keeping up with demand, resulting in a shortage of memory for PCs and rising prices.
Market forecast predicts that SSD and memory prices will rise and supply shortages will continue for 10 years, so buy while they're cheap - GIGAZINE
Nikkei Asia reported, citing industry sources, that 'almost all major memory chip makers are operating at full capacity or near full capacity, and manufacturing slots for 2026 are nearly sold out due to demand for AI.'
The AI boom is driving huge demand for DRAM and NAND chips. Investment is rising, but supply is tight and prices keep climbing. https://t.co/I3glL2Yeca pic.twitter.com/An1aLeyQjd
— Nikkei Asia (@NikkeiAsia) November 19, 2025
Given this background, Lenovo is taking steps to secure large amounts of memory inventory as a wise strategy to weather periods of volatile prices.
According to financial media outlet Bloomberg, Lenovo has built up enough inventory to deal with component shortages until the end of 2026. This inventory will allow Lenovo to weather supply shortages more favorably than its competitors, allowing it to keep product prices low. In fact, Lenovo has indicated that it will avoid passing on costs to customers, i.e., raising prices, in the current quarter in order to maintain its strong sales growth this year.
Meanwhile, other manufacturers without sufficient stocks could face tough times: Chinese semiconductor giant SMIC has warned that shortages of memory, essential for all modern electronic devices, could limit production of automobiles and consumer electronics in 2026.
Smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi also predicts that supply shortages will cause smartphone prices to rise in 2026. While experts cannot predict when the memory price surge will end, Bloomberg is certain that it will continue 'at least through 2026.'
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