IT Hardware Shortage: How to Plan Your Next Six Months
The IT hardware shortage is pushing up prices and stretching delivery times for laptops, phones and servers, and the businesses that plan early are the ones keeping their projects on track.
Orders are being delayed or cancelled, and we are seeing longer lead times from many of our vendors. This post explains what is behind the shortage and the practical steps you can take over the next six months.
Why hardware supply is constrained
The biggest driver is a worldwide shortage of memory and storage chips. AI data centres are buying them at enormous scale, and Micron, one of the few manufacturers that makes them, expects data centres to account for more than half of industry demand for memory and storage in 2026 for the first time.
The same chips go into the laptops, phones and servers your business uses, and new factory capacity takes years to build. On 30 September, Micron said it expects supply to stay constrained through 2028 and that it cannot yet see when supply and demand will return to balance.
What the shortage means for your business
If you have a device refresh, a project or new starters coming up, a delay or a price rise can affect both your budget and your timeline. Businesses that plan early are in a much better position to keep those plans on track and within budget.
How to plan your device refresh over the next six months
A short planning exercise now makes it much easier to avoid delays later.
- List what is coming up: note every device refresh, project, office move and new starter you expect over the next six months.
- Check what is due for replacement: identify the laptops, servers and network equipment that are close to the end of their useful life.
- Confirm your quantities: agree how many devices and accessories you need, including spares for new starters.
- Order earlier than usual: place orders sooner, or ask your IT provider to help you secure the stock you need.
Our team can work through these steps with you and help you build a forward plan that keeps your projects, refreshes and new hires on track.
Micron fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call prepared remarks (March 2026), Micron Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are laptop and server prices rising?
The main cause is a worldwide shortage of memory and storage chips, driven by AI data centres buying them at enormous scale. Only a few manufacturers make these chips, and they go into laptops, phones and servers, so businesses are seeing higher prices and less stock from many vendors.
How long will the IT hardware shortage last?
Micron, one of the few manufacturers of these chips, said on 30 September that it expects supply to stay constrained through 2028 and that it cannot yet see when supply and demand will return to balance. That is why planning ahead is safer than waiting for prices to settle.
Does the hardware shortage only affect laptops?
No, because memory and storage chips are used in laptops, phones and servers, and our planning service also covers networking, storage and accessories so you can plan everything in one place.
When should I start planning my device refresh?
We suggest looking at everything you expect to need over the next six months now, because lead times are longer and some orders are being delayed or cancelled.
Plan your next six months with All IT
Tell us what you expect to need and we will help you build a forward plan to keep your projects, refreshes and new hires on track.