The 2026 Hardware Reality: Why "Ready to Ship" is Your Best Play Right Now
If you’ve been keeping an eye on component prices lately, you’ve likely noticed the numbers moving in the wrong direction. At Computer Lounge, we believe in being upfront with our community. The reality is that building or buying a PC today is more expensive than it was 90 days ago, but it’s still significantly more affordable than it will be three months from now.
Here’s a look at what’s happening behind the scenes in the hardware world and why our current inventory is your best hedge against a rising market.
The “AI Tax” on Gaming
It’s no secret that the AI boom is reshaping the world, but it’s also consuming the global supply of silicon. Data centers and AI firms are currently purchasing the vast majority of the world’s high-end memory supply. Because AI models require massive amounts of data and speed, manufacturers of RAM and SSDs are prioritizing enterprise contracts over consumer hardware.
This has created a supply squeeze that ripples through every part of a PC:
- Memory (RAM): The same chips used in AI servers power your DDR5 kits. As supply tightens, costs are rising faster than we’ve seen in years.
- Storage (SSDs): NAND flash, the heart of your NVMe drive, is being redirected to massive AI data sets, causing prices to climb steadily.
- Graphics Cards (GPUs): Even GPUs are affected, as VRAM (Video RAM) comes from the same limited pool of memory chips being chased by the AI industry.
The Balancing Act: Why Our Ready to Ship PCs Remain Your Best Value
We’ll be the first to admit it, our system prices have been creeping up over the last few months. Like everyone else in the industry, we are navigating a market where component costs are shifting almost every few days.
However, there’s a reason a Ready to Ship (RTS) PC from Computer Lounge is still the smartest move right now. Because we buy in volume, we’re constantly averaging our costs. As new, more expensive components arrive, we blend them with our existing lower-cost inventory.
While a custom build using today’s "fresh" market-rate parts would reflect the full weight of recent price spikes, these RTS systems act as a time capsule of better pricing. We are effectively "averaging" our costs, blending our existing stock with newer, more expensive arrivals, to act as a shock absorber for your wallet.
Instead of hitting you with a massive price jump overnight, we are absorbing those spikes and smoothing them out. But it’s important to remember that this is a "first-come, first-served" scenario. Once a specific batch of RTS systems is sold through, the next iteration will inevitably reflect the higher costs of the current market.
Explore Our Ready to Ship Lineup
We’ve curated our RTS range to ensure that even in a volatile market, you can find a system that fits your needs:
- Core Series Gaming PC: Where affordability meets performance. Designed for those who want maximum frames per dollar.
- Ultra Series Gaming PC: All Bling Everything. High-end aesthetics paired with top-tier hardware for the ultimate setup.
- Zen Series Gaming PC: Elegant and minimalistic. Powerful performance housed in a clean, sophisticated design.
- High Performance Workstations: Expertly tailored workstations and servers for demanding professional applications.
Our Honest Advice: To Buy or To Wait?
We’ve always been about long-term relationships with our customers, so here’s our take on the current situation:
- If you need a PC this year: Our advice is to buy as soon as you can. Locking in a system while we still have “blended” pricing in effect is the only way to avoid the steeper increases projected for the latter half of 2026.
- If you don’t strictly need a PC right now: It may be best to wait a year. While we don’t expect relief in the next few months, the hardware market is cyclical. If you can hold out for the long haul, you might find a better entry point once the current supply chain pressures ease.
Need Help Choosing?
We know the hardware landscape is moving fast, and choosing the right system is a big decision. If you need a hand selecting the best PC for your budget and goals, our expert team is here to help.
Contact our Sales Team for personalised advice on your next build.
