Tariffs, CPUs, and AI: Here’s why I recommend you buy a new laptop before prices get out of hand

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In the past few weeks, it’s hard not to notice that technology prices have been on an upward trend in various prominent areas.

I’ve noticed that the turbulence in the worldwide market can be attributed mainly to the tariffs imposed by the U.S. President Trump, which essentially amount to taxes on certain imported products. This ripple effect is being experienced by numerous consumers, and unfortunately, it seems like this situation might persist for some time.

Given that laptops are often among the initial items impacted by technological advancements, one might ponder: Is it advisable to purchase a new laptop at this moment?

Should you buy a new laptop before prices increase due to tariffs?

Whether or not you should buy a new laptop now depends on a few factors.

Do you plan to upgrade or buy new in the next year or two? Yes, I recommend shopping now.

It’s quite possible that you only have a couple of weeks, or perhaps a bit more, before certain prices significantly increase as retailers sell off inventory that came before the tariffs were enacted.

In response to the 10% tariff on Chinese imports imposed by President Trump, Acer’s CEO and Chairman, Jason Chen, has already declared a 10% price hike for their laptops. On the other hand, prices from competing brands appear to be rising at an unusually swift pace.

The upgrade timeline for laptops generally aligns with CPU updates, and it’s not anticipated that there will be new performance hardware from Intel or AMD until 2026. So, if you decide to purchase a contemporary PC from either Intel or AMD today, don’t expect an upgraded model to pop up soon after.

It’s anticipated that Qualcomm will reveal its latest Snapdragon processors this year, with these laptop models potentially hitting the shelves by the upcoming holiday season. Moreover, I’m looking forward to the release of new Surface PCs in Autumn 2025.

Conversely, if you’ve bought a new laptop within the past one to two years – typically, laptops can last up to five years, though longer if you take good care of your technology – you can rest assured with less concern.

For individuals with aspirations in AI computing, it’s advisable to look for a laptop equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that offers at least 40 TOPS of processing power. This is necessary to manage the Copilot+ AI tools integrated within Windows 11 effectively.

Devices equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, Intel Core Ultra series (excluding the H and HX models) and AMD Ryzen AI 300 series chips meet this requirement.

Forecasting the effects of tariffs on tech prices

According to a prediction made by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) over the course of a year, as shared by TechCrunch, the outlook for consumer technology appears to be quite pessimistic.

Imposing hypothetical tariffs of 10% or 20% across all imports and a hefty 60% on goods from China, as the CTA observed, led to laptop prices increasing by approximately 46%. Following this trend, gaming consoles saw a price hike of around 40%, while phones experienced an increase of about 26%.

Considering this context, a 20% rise in laptop prices would bump up the cost of a $1,200 model, which is around the average in the market, to approximately $1,440.

According to the CTA’s theory, a 46% rise in the price would take the $1,200 product to $1,752. This new price point might make it unaffordable for many consumers.

Indeed, currently, there isn’t a 60% duty applied to Chinese imports, but it’s important to note that there remains a potential 25% tariff for processors being imported into the United States.

Additionally, there’s the proposed “Liberation Day” by President Trump on April 2, 2025, which might introduce various new taxes and restrictions. According to Bloomberg, this announcement alone has been causing a decline in stock market values.

Trump aims to use potential chip tariffs as a means to encourage more companies to set up their manufacturing bases in the U.S., since Intel and TSMC are already established there. Yet, the benefits of this shift may not become apparent for some time.

TechCrunch’s report further highlights a talk delivered by Brian Comiskey at CES 2025, where he elaborated on the role that AI-enhanced capabilities were playing.

It’s possible that the growth of AI hardware in everyday laptops may not appear significant to some, yet the Consumer Technology Association anticipates an increase in demand for advanced PCs capable of managing sophisticated tools such as Copilot+.

Which laptop brands offer the best value?

In today’s market, you’ll find an abundance of cost-effective and budget-friendly laptops, however, it’s essential to remember that not all are created equal.

To get the greatest worth, you may need to accept certain trade-offs. Exploring laptop review articles can often help you identify these compromises.

If you’re on the hunt for an outstanding display, perhaps an OLED panel is what you’re after, then let me tell you about my experience with the Acer Swift Edge 16. This laptop truly stands out!

Typically, Acer is known as a reliable choice for budget-friendly laptops. However, when it comes to the Swift Edge 16 model, its stunning OLED screen is what sets it apart, although this comes at the expense of battery life and overall construction quality.

The other major laptop brands also have more affordable laptops available.

HP’s “Essential” series boasts a variety of personal computers priced under $1,000, some even dropping to $300 after discounts.

Dell’s Inspiron series and the upcoming “Base” branded laptops fall under the same price range, both providing a variety of options below $1,000.

When it comes to budget-focused consumers, Lenovo primarily captures their interest with its IdeaPad lineup, while ASUS competes effectively with its Vivobook series in terms of affordable pricing.

If you prioritize obtaining top-tier hardware regardless of cost, our guide detailing the finest Windows laptops could be beneficial for your selection process.

And if it’s an AI PC you want, my guide to the best AI laptops has more great hardware to consider.

Are you worried about tech prices?

I’m interested in finding out whether our readers are worried about increasing tech costs, and I’d love to hear if you’re thinking about purchasing a new laptop at this time because your current device is becoming outdated.

Let me know your thoughts in our new comment section below!

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2025-04-01 14:11