San Francisco, CA – February 22, 2026 – Global technology giant Lenovo is warning its partners to prepare for price increases on a range of hardware products, including PCs, tablets, and servers, as a persistent global memory shortage continues to impact the supply chain. The anticipated price adjustments, expected to take effect in early March 2026, are a direct response to soaring costs for DRAM and NAND flash memory, driven largely by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
Lenovo’s North America channel chief, Wade McFarland, communicated the impending changes in a letter to partners dated February 2, 2026, urging them to place orders as soon as possible to mitigate the impact of the price hikes. The letter, obtained by CRN, recommends that partners finalize orders before February 25, 2026, to secure current pricing. This move underscores the growing pressure on hardware manufacturers to navigate a volatile market and manage rising component costs.
The Memory Crunch and its Impact on Pricing
The current memory shortage isn’t a fresh phenomenon, but its intensity has increased significantly in recent months. The demand for DRAM and NAND chips has surged due to the massive investment in AI infrastructure, with data centers requiring substantial memory capacity to support complex AI workloads. This increased demand, coupled with supply chain constraints, has led to a sharp increase in prices, forcing manufacturers like Lenovo to adjust their pricing strategies.
According to Ryan McCurdy, President of Lenovo North America, the company has been actively working to mitigate the impact of the shortage. “We’ve absolutely had to adjust and continue to adjust [terms]. There’s no way around it,” McCurdy stated. Lenovo has responded by shortening the validity of price quotes, particularly within its Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), where quotes now range from 14 to 30 days. The company has also streamlined its ISG portfolio, reducing the number of models offered and implementing proactive inventory management to achieve cost efficiencies. However, these measures have not fully offset the rising cost of memory.
Lenovo’s Strategy for Navigating the Challenges
Beyond adjusting pricing and quote validity, Lenovo is focused on supporting its partners through this period of market uncertainty. McFarland’s letter highlights the company’s commitment to providing partners with clear and timely information regarding price changes. Lenovo is also expanding partner certifications and accreditations, with over 71,000 certifications globally, 72% of which focus on non-PC solutions. This initiative aims to support diversification and growth in services-led solutions, helping partners adapt to the evolving market landscape.
The company’s broader strategy aligns with the vision of Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang, who recently identified Hybrid AI as the most transformative market opportunity for Lenovo and its channel partners. Lenovo’s global channel leaders are actively implementing the Lenovo 360 framework to capitalize on this opportunity, enabling partner-led growth across the company’s full portfolio of devices, infrastructure, and services. Pascal Bourguet, Vice President of Sales Strategy and Channel Chief for International Markets, is leading the global expansion of the Lenovo 360 framework, launching new partner pathways and simplifying incentive structures to accelerate specialization in key areas like AI, services, and sustainability.
Channel Chief Recognition
Despite the challenging market conditions, Lenovo’s channel leadership is receiving industry recognition. Pascal Bourguet, Wade McFarland, and Craig Taylor, Senior Director and Canada Channel Chief, have been selected for inclusion on the 2026 CRN® Channel Chiefs list. Bourguet and McFarland were also named to CRN®’s 2026 list of the 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs, recognizing their leadership and impact on the IT channel. This recognition underscores Lenovo’s commitment to fostering strong partner relationships and driving innovation within the channel ecosystem.
Impact on Commercial Clients
The price adjustments are expected to primarily affect the commercial segment of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), which includes PCs, tablets, and smartphones. While specific details regarding the extent of the price increases are yet to be released, partners are advised to anticipate changes across various product configurations. The ongoing memory shortage is impacting ordering and pricing policies across both the IDG and the Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), requiring Lenovo to remain agile and responsive to market fluctuations.
The situation highlights the interconnectedness of the technology supply chain and the vulnerability of hardware manufacturers to external factors like component shortages. The demand for memory is unlikely to subside in the near future, given the continued growth of AI and cloud computing. This suggests that price volatility may persist, requiring Lenovo and its partners to proactively manage inventory and adapt to changing market conditions.
Looking ahead, Lenovo is committed to providing its partners with the resources and support they need to navigate these challenges. The company’s focus on innovation, partner enablement, and strategic alignment with emerging technologies like Hybrid AI will be crucial in maintaining its position as a leading provider of technology solutions.
The next update regarding specific price changes is expected in early March 2026. Partners are encouraged to stay informed through official Lenovo communications and to proactively engage with their Lenovo representatives to discuss potential impacts and mitigation strategies.
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