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| Lenovo AI servers are shown |
In an industry where cautious optimism often governs public statements, a senior Lenovo executive has broken ranks with a stark warning to customers and partners: order your technology now, before prices climb even higher and stock vanishes.
The blunt assessment comes from Ryan McCurdy, President of Lenovo North America, who told CRN in a recent interview that the ongoing memory and component crunch is far from over. Contrary to the subdued messaging from some corners of the market, McCurdy anticipates sustained cost increases and advises acting quickly to secure both pricing and inventory.
A Directive from the Top: "Order Quickly"
McCurdy’s message is unequivocal. He stresses that the current pricing for critical components is as low as it will get for the foreseeable future. “Partners should make purchases as soon as possible,” he emphasized, indicating that today’s quotes represent the lowest levels that will “exist for the next 6 to 12 months.”
This warning is rooted in the insatiable demand for AI server infrastructure, which shows no sign of slowing. As major hyperscalers and enterprises compete for GPU accelerators and high-bandwidth memory, the ripple effects are straining the entire supply chain. Lenovo, like its competitors, is urging clients to finalize decisions without delay.
The On-the-Ground Reality: Quotes Expiring in Hours, Not Days
For systems integrators and large buyers, McCurdy’s warning is already a daily reality. The article from CRN, which details McCurdy's urgent advice, highlights just how volatile the market has become. One integrator shared an alarming experience: after attempting to secure a large order of GPU-accelerated servers from Dell, they were informed the entire allocation had sold out the same day.
This isn't an isolated case. Large institutional orders from organizations and universities, which typically involve a weeks-long procurement process, are now at high risk of falling through due to evaporating inventory. The result? Partners are being forced to purchase less equipment overall or accept substitute configurations that may not meet their ideal specifications.
Why Your Next Laptop Might Cost More
While the server market is feeling the most acute pressure, the memory shortage is also creeping into the market for laptops and desktops. McCurdy expressed confidence that Lenovo’s supplier agreements place it in a “better position than most to navigate this environment.” However, he acknowledged the challenge of securing favorable long-term contracts with DRAM giants like Samsung and SK Hynix.
For now, many mainstream notebooks haven’t seen significant price hikes, as manufacturers work through existing component stockpiles. But this grace period is ending. Consumers should expect fewer promotional discounts, shorter-lived "deal" periods, and ultimately, higher price tags on new devices as these cost pressures work their way through the system.
The custom PC market is even more vulnerable. Enthusiasts building their own rigs will feel the pinch directly from inflated costs for DDR5 memory, Nvidia GeForce GPUs, and high-performance SSDs. Prebuilt systems from major brands will soon reflect these increases as well.
The Bottom Line for Buyers
The era of taking time to deliberate on a major tech purchase may be temporarily over. Lenovo’s frank outlook, as reported by CRN, serves as a clear signal to both business and consumer buyers: the component crisis is escalating. Whether you're sourcing enterprise AI servers, outfitting a corporate fleet, or buying a high-end laptop for creative work, securing your order sooner rather than later could be the key to staying on budget and on schedule.
For a deeper dive into Ryan McCurdy's interview and the specific challenges facing channel partners, you can read the full report on CRN's website.
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| Closeup of Lenovo AI server |