Why Your Business Laptops Are Staying Longer, and What That Means for Data Security Before January
What is happening: A global shortage of memory chips, driven largely by demand from AI data centers, is pushing up the price of new computers and phones. Gartner forecasts that worldwide PC shipments will fall 10.4 percent in 2026 and that enterprise PCs will stay in service about 15 percent longer as organizations delay replacements. Between now and January, that shift lands on every business that budgets for equipment.
October: The Price Tag Changes the Plan
Gartner estimates that DRAM and SSD prices could rise around 130 percent by the end of 2026, pushing average PC prices up roughly 17 percent and smartphone prices up about 13 percent compared with 2025. Manufacturers have also told partners that pricing on some commercial devices will change, depending on shipment timing. Industry analysts cited by TrendForce place meaningful supply relief in 2027 to 2028 at the earliest.
For a business planning a fourth-quarter refresh, the math has changed. Many companies are choosing to keep devices a year or more longer than planned.
November: Older Devices Become a Bigger Risk
Longer lifecycles bring a quiet side effect: more aging hardware holding more data for more time. Older laptops, aging servers, and forgotten hard drives in storage closets all carry business information. Delaying replacement does not delay the day those devices must be retired, so the security plan for that day matters more, not less.
This is also why refurbishment and reuse matter. When new equipment is expensive, extending the life of good devices and recovering parts from retired ones makes financial sense, as long as data is destroyed first and documented.
December: Year-End Budgets and Holiday Slowdowns
The end of the year is a natural time to clear out retired equipment. Offices are quieter over the holidays, budgets are being closed out, and storage rooms that filled up during the year can be emptied before January. A scheduled pickup can handle the logistics in one visit, with documented chain of custody and certificates of destruction for any device that held sensitive data.
January: A Fresh Start With a Process
Businesses that enter the new year with a documented recycling and data destruction process avoid the slow pile-up of retired devices. If your equipment will stay in service longer, a plan for the day it finally retires, including who approves it, how it is wiped or destroyed, and where the paperwork is stored, protects you well beyond January.
What Businesses Can Do Now
Inventory what you have. Know which devices are in use, which are spare, and which are retired but still sitting in storage.
Separate data-bearing devices. Servers, laptops, phones, and drives need certified destruction before anything else happens.
Ask about refurbishment and reuse. With replacement costs rising, reusable equipment may hold more value than expected.
Schedule a year-end pickup. Clearing retired devices before January keeps storage clear and records clean.
Confirm your recycler is certified. Ask for chain of custody and certificates of destruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are computer prices going up in 2026? A shortage of memory chips, driven in large part by AI data center demand, has raised the cost of DRAM and SSD components, and manufacturers are passing those costs on in higher device prices.
How long will the memory shortage last? Industry analysts cited by TrendForce expect meaningful supply relief in 2027 to 2028 at the earliest, so businesses should plan around higher prices for now.
Should I keep my old computers longer? That is a business decision, and many companies are doing so. If you do, make sure aging devices are still supported and secured, and have a plan for secure destruction when they finally retire.
Does recycling or refurbishing old equipment still make sense when prices are high? Yes. Reuse and refurbishment can stretch budgets, and responsible recycling recovers valuable materials. Data destruction should always come first.
What should I get from a recycler for compliance? Ask for documented chain of custody and a certificate of destruction for data-bearing devices, and confirm the recycler is properly registered and certified.
Get Your Equipment Plan Ready Before the New Year
If your business has retired equipment piling up, or you are stretching devices further than planned, reach out to our team. We will help you set up a secure, documented process for the day that equipment finally comes out of service.