We've all been there ...
... a team member’s laptop refuses to start. In the past, this was a minor speed bump - you’d simply order a replacement and have it on the desk within 48 hours.
However, in 2026, that quick fix is disappearing. If you wait until a device physically fails before ordering a new one, you might find yourself facing a 3-6 week wait for a replacement. This delay causes a massive gap in productivity that is difficult to recover.
The Shift in the 2026 Tech Market
The way we buy business technology is changing. Experts are forecasting a drop in the number of computers available globally. This isn’t because people want fewer devices, but because the building blocks of technology, specifically memory and storage, have become much more expensive to produce.
What does this mean for your business?
Most hardware brands are already raising their prices to cover these higher part costs.
The usual seasonal sales and bulk-buy discounts are becoming much harder to find.
Interestingly, it’s the lower-cost, entry-level laptops that are seeing the biggest price jumps.
Unlike some years where tech gets cheaper as the months go by, prices are expected to stay high throughout all of 2026.
Go From Panic to Planning
At Satori Technology, we believe the best way to handle these market changes is to stop being reactive. When you wait for a device to break, the shipping delays and higher price tags become a crisis you have to manage.
Forward planning is now your best tool for saving money. If you know you’ll need to replace or add new devices in the next 6 to 12 months, ordering earlier is the smartest move. It allows you to:
Lock in current prices before they rise further.
Avoid downtime by having gear ready before a staff member is left without a working tool.
Protect your budget from unexpected emergency expenses.
You can no longer count on getting new gear exactly when you need it at a standard price. A little bit of planning today prevents a very expensive headache tomorrow.
Our role at Satori is to help you look ahead, spot which devices are reaching the end of their life, and get them replaced without any surprises to your bank account. Review our checklist below and get in touch with us if you need some help.
Checklist: Is Your Business Ready for the 2026 Tech Crunch?
Before a device fails and leaves a team member sidelined, take ten minutes to walk through these four questions:
Do you know which devices are over 3 years old?
Laptops and PCs reaching the three-to-four-year mark are in the high-risk zone for hardware failure. Knowing what is aging helps you replace them on your terms, not during a Monday morning emergency.
Are you planning to hire in the next 6–12 months?
With lead times for some gear stretching to 3 to 6 weeks, ordering a new starter’s laptop the week before they arrive is no longer a safe bet.
Have you accounted for a 10–15% price increase?
Because the cost of essential parts like memory and storage has risen sharply, the standard price you paid last year has likely gone up.
Do you have a buffer device on-site?
Since promotions and discounts are becoming less common, it is often more cost-effective to buy a spare unit now at current prices than to pay an emergency premium later.
If you answered ‘No’ or ‘I’m not sure’ to any of the above, your business might be vulnerable to the current supply delays and price hikes.
If you’d like to talk through your options, we’re very happy to help.
Contact us on:
P: 07 213 0982
E: support@satoritech.co.nz
