Executive Summary
If you have looked at the cost of laptops, desktops or other IT hardware recently and thought, that seems a lot more than it used to be, you are not alone.
It is something we are hearing more often from clients, and it is a fair question to ask. For many businesses, replacing a laptop or desktop should be a routine purchase. But recently, those quotes have started to feel noticeably higher than expected.
The main reason is that the cost of some of the key components inside computers has gone up. At the same time, global demand for those components has increased, partly because of the rapid growth in AI and data centre infrastructure.
There is also a smaller supporting factor in the background. The end of Windows 10 support pushed some businesses to replace older devices sooner than planned, which helped keep demand steady.
For UK businesses, the result is simple. Everyday computer hardware is more expensive than it used to be, and budgets often do not stretch as far.
Introduction
One of the questions we have been asked more often recently is this:
Why does a decent business laptop cost so much more than it used to?
It is a good question, because for most businesses this should be a pretty straightforward purchase. You need a reliable machine, you get a quote, and you get on with it.
But lately, many businesses have found that when the quote arrives, the cost is higher than they expected. Sometimes it is only a bit more. Sometimes it is enough to make you stop and rethink the budget.
The important thing to say is that this is not just in your head, and it is not simply a case of suppliers putting prices up for the sake of it. There are genuine market reasons behind it.
In simple terms, the parts inside computers have become more expensive, and demand for those parts has increased around the world. That is now feeding through into the price UK businesses pay for laptops, desktops and other hardware.
The cost of the parts inside computers has gone up
The biggest reason behind higher hardware prices is fairly simple.
Some of the key components that go into laptops and desktops now cost more than they used to. That includes things like memory and storage, which are essential parts of almost every business machine.
When those internal costs rise, the finished device usually rises in price too. That is why even fairly standard business laptops can now look more expensive than they did a year or two ago.
From a client point of view, that often shows up in one of two ways. Either the same model costs more than expected, or the same budget now gets you a lower specification than it would have done previously.
AI growth is adding pressure behind the scenes
Another part of the picture is the huge growth in AI and data centre investment.
Although that may sound like something far removed from everyday business IT, it does have an impact. The same global supply chains that help support AI infrastructure also help supply the components used in normal business laptops and desktops.
So while your business may simply be trying to buy a reliable laptop for a member of staff, that laptop is still affected by what is happening in the wider technology market.
This is one of the reasons prices have stayed under pressure. Higher demand elsewhere can have a knock-on effect on the cost and availability of everyday hardware.
Why this feels so noticeable for businesses
For most businesses, this becomes real when it turns into a live quote.
A laptop that used to feel like a sensible mid-range option now seems more expensive than it should be. Or a budget that once covered five devices now only comfortably covers four.
That is where the frustration usually comes from. It is not always that prices have jumped dramatically on every single model. It is that the overall value feels different, especially when you are trying to balance quality, lifespan and cost.
Smaller businesses often feel this more directly because hardware buying is usually tied to immediate needs. A laptop fails. A new starter joins. A few older devices need replacing around the same time. These are not long-term theoretical decisions. They are practical purchases that need to be made.
Windows 10 has played a part, but it is not the whole story
The end of Windows 10 support has had some impact as well, but it is probably not the main driver now.
It did push some businesses to replace older devices sooner than they might otherwise have done, especially where existing machines were too old to move forward comfortably. That helped keep demand stronger.
But if you are explaining why prices still feel high now, the bigger reason is the wider market. Rising component costs and global demand are a more useful explanation than the Windows 10 deadline on its own.
So yes, it is part of the picture, but it is not really the headline.
What businesses should do now
There is no magic way around higher hardware costs, but there are some sensible ways to manage them.
The first is to plan ahead where you can. If you know some of your devices are getting older, it is much better to review them early than wait until they become urgent replacements.
The second is to think beyond the cheapest upfront price. A lower-cost laptop is not always better value if it struggles sooner, slows staff down or needs replacing earlier.
The third is to focus on suitability. The right device for the role is usually a better investment than simply picking the cheapest option on the page.
And finally, it helps to work with an IT provider who will explain the market honestly and help you make sensible choices based on what your business actually needs.
Final Thoughts
If computer hardware feels expensive at the moment, there is a reason for it.
The main issue is that the cost of key components has gone up, while global demand, especially from AI and data centre growth, has added further pressure behind the scenes. For UK businesses, that means the price of everyday laptops and desktops is higher than many people expect.
The good news is that this is something you can plan for. Reviewing older devices, budgeting a little earlier and making informed buying decisions can all help reduce the pressure.
Most importantly, it helps to remember that this is not just about the price of a laptop. It is about making sure your team has reliable, secure equipment that will support the business properly for the years ahead.
Need help with new business hardware?
If you are looking to replace laptops, desktops or other IT hardware for your business, Get Support can help.
We supply business hardware at competitive prices and provide a full end-to-end service, from helping you choose the right devices through to ordering, setup, configuration and delivery. That means less hassle for your team and confidence that everything will arrive ready to use.
Whether you need a single laptop or a wider hardware refresh, we can help you find the right fit for your business and make the whole process straightforward.
Get in touch with Get Support to discuss your hardware requirements and get a competitive quote.
FAQs
Because the cost of the parts inside them has increased, and global demand for those parts is higher than it used to be.
Yes, indirectly. The growth in AI and data centres is increasing pressure on the same global supply chains that support everyday business hardware.
To a degree, yes. It encouraged some businesses to replace older devices sooner, but it is no longer the main reason prices feel high.
Often it comes down to when stock was bought and what pricing that supplier is working from. Older stock can sometimes look better value than newly purchased inventory.
Yes. Get Support can help you source business hardware at competitive prices and manage the whole process for you, including advice, ordering, setup, configuration and delivery.