Hardware Costs Are Up, and It’s Not Going Away Soon
Here’s the short version: computer chips are in short supply, and it’s hitting everything from laptops to servers to networking gear.
The reason is bigger than any one manufacturer. Chip makers around the world have been shifting a huge share of their production toward the massive memory demands of AI data centers. That leaves less supply for the everyday business equipment the rest of us rely on, and with demand staying high across the board, prices have been climbing steadily.
A few honest things to know:
- This isn’t a blip that fixes itself in a few months, similar to what many of us experienced with supply shortages back during COVID. Industry watchers currently expect this shortage to stick around through at least 2027, and some manufacturer leaders think it could run longer than that.
- Major hardware makers have already raised prices on servers and computers multiple times this year, and more increases are expected. We’re also seeing this play out firsthand: longer shipping delays on certain items, and vendors shortening how long a quote stays valid before pricing changes again.
Our honest take? Buckle up and expect this to be a bumpy road through at least 2027, perhaps longer. A few things you can do in the meantime:
- Take good care of your equipment. Keep it dust-free, use a proper carrying case, and avoid extreme temperatures. Equipment that’s cared for lasts longer, and that matters more when replacements cost more and take longer to arrive.
- Consider extending the hardware warranties on your gear. We can help with this if you’d like us to take a look.
- Purchase hardware replacements sooner rather than later. If something’s on its last leg or due for a refresh, waiting is likely to cost you more, not less.
If you want to read more about what’s driving this, here are two good rundowns:
Talk to Us
Got questions about how any of this affects your account? We’re right down the road and happy to help. Reach out anytime.
Microsoft Is Raising Prices Again on October 1
Separate from the hardware situation, Microsoft is bumping up prices on its cloud software subscriptions again, this time effective October 1, 2026. This follows the increase they put through back on July 1.
Here’s what’s actually changing:
- It’s a 5% increase on annual-term subscriptions that are billed monthly.
- New purchases and renewals starting October 1, 2026 will be at the new pricing.
- Already mid-term on a subscription? Nothing changes for you until your next renewal after October 1. Microsoft won’t touch your pricing midcommitment.
- On a month-to-month plan? This doesn’t affect you at all.
And here’s the part we want to say plainly, because it matters to us: Eagle has never marked up Microsoft licensing above what Microsoft charges. Whatever change you see is coming straight from Microsoft, not from us tacking anything on. That’s not going to change now either.
Let’s Talk Before You’re Surprised
We know pricing updates like these aren’t fun to read about, but we’d much rather you hear it from us now than find out on an invoice later. If you want to look at what’s coming up on your account, whether that’s a hardware refresh, a license renewal, or just general budget planning, give us a shout. We’re right down the road and happy to walk through it with you.
