The laptop market is facing a sharp price increase set to occur in March 2026. Lenovo, the global market leader, has warned its business partners about the need to update price lists. The cause is a crisis in the memory market, driven by enormous demand from the artificial intelligence sector. In some cases, the cost of memory modules has increased fivefold, which will directly impact retail prices of consumer devices.

Laptop Price Hikes

Lenovo warns of significant price increases for computers in March due to a drastic rise in RAM costs.

Apple Hardware Launches

New MacBook launches are expected in the week starting March 2nd, including a budget model with significant specification compromises.

2026 Labor Shortages

The Occupational Barometer indicates critical shortages of doctors, nurses, and teachers in most Polish counties.

The global consumer electronics market is bracing for a significant price shock, primarily catalyzed by unprecedented demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. According to warnings from the Lenovo corporation, March 2026 will bring price adjustments for laptops, including popular consumer models. The mechanism for the increases is directly linked to a drastic shortage of operational memory. The manufacturer set February 25, 2026, as the final date for distributors to finalize orders at previous prices. To maintain the old rates, deliveries of these devices must be completed no later than March 31, 2026. Simultaneously, Apple is preparing for a new product launch event scheduled for the week starting March 2nd. Speculation includes a budget MacBook intended to compete with Chromebooks, though reports suggest numerous technical compromises, such as the lack of True Tone and lower screen brightness. At the same time, Google is intensifying the rollout of its generative artificial intelligence model, Nano Banana 2, into its services, including Google Maps, which will allow for visual modification of Street View imagery. A similar component market crisis occurred between 2020-2022, when the pandemic and supply chain disruptions led to a global semiconductor shortage, paralyzing not only the IT industry but also the automotive sector.On the social front, Pope Leo XIV issued an appeal for authenticity in pastoral ministry, cautioning clergy against generating homilies using AI. Meanwhile, the Polish labor market in 2026 shows deepening shortages in public services. According to the Occupational Barometer, there will be a shortage of doctors, teachers, and drivers, while the private sector focuses on upskilling and automation using humanoid robots, whose purchase cost is becoming increasingly competitive compared to a traditional full-time position. „At this moment we are seeing a pick-up in productivity” — President of the European Central Bank, commenting on AI's impact on the labor market.

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize AI development as an opportunity for productivity growth and upskilling, downplaying the risk of mass layoffs in the short term. Conservative media highlight threats to the authenticity of human work and the ethical aspects of machines replacing people.

Mentioned People

  • Christine Lagarde — President of the European Central Bank, commenting on AI's impact on the labor market.
  • Tim Cook — Chief Executive Officer of Apple, announcing new hardware.
  • Iwona Szylar — Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Poland.