Lenovo (via CRN) has sent a letter to partners warning them of price hikes on select PC and server configurations coming in March due to a shortage of DRAM and 3D NAND memory, which will consequently increase costs, reports CRN. In a February 2 letter to partners, North America channel chief Wade McFarland outlined new ordering deadlines and repricing conditions that affect both the Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), which sells client devices like desktops and notebooks, and the Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), which sells servers.
The warning applies to 'certain products and configurations' within Lenovo's commercial IDG lineup, which includes a broad range of products, from smartphones to high-end ThinkPad laptops. Lenovo instructed partners to place their orders with distributors by February 25 and ensure they reach Lenovo no later than February 28 to receive their products at current prices, subject to availability and shipment timing. Lenovo explicitly stated that any orders received before February 28, but not shipped by March 31, 2026, will require repricing.
On the server side, ISG shortened quote validity to 14 days in its internal bidding system and 30 days on the external platform used by resellers and distributors. Lenovo announced that select larger ISG deals, both in backlog and in active quoting, have already been repriced due to cost increases. In addition, Lenovo suspended the new customer bonus nomination program on January 26. This program granted partners up-front discounts for securing Lenovo contracts with new customers, but in the current market situation, any up-front discounts can hurt Lenovo more than they benefit it.
The cost pressure on Lenovo is a consequence of 3D NAND and DRAM shortages and price hikes across the industry, driven by demand from the AI sector. Although large PC OEMs tend to secure memory through long-term supply contracts, CRN reports that Cisco, HPE, and now Lenovo have all adjusted their hardware pricing structures and ordering policies accordingly.
Channel reaction has been mixed. Camden Haley of Connection expects higher prices for some commercial PCs next month but praised Lenovo for providing clear order dates and sticking to communicated timelines, contrasting that approach with other OEMs that have repeatedly revised policies. Yet, the chief executive of another Lenovo partner, who remained anonymous, argued that the March 31 shipment condition effectively gives Lenovo the ability to reprice backlog orders if supply delays occur, though he expressed understanding of the supply environment.
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