Acer Japan has announced a wave of price increases for its laptops and pre-built desktop PCs, effective February 20, 2026. The adjustments come as the tech industry grapples with persistent shortages of critical components, particularly memory and SSD modules, which have seen dramatic cost escalations since late 2025.
The company’s official statement, shared on its Japanese social media channels, frames the changes as unavoidable: rising raw material costs necessitate higher retail prices. Purchases made before February 20 will still reflect pre-hike pricing, with the last day for current rates set at February 19. Acer’s gaming-focused brands, including Predator and PlayMaster, are also implementing the same adjustments.
Notably, Acer Japan’s announcement hints that a small subset of products may remain exempt from price changes, though specifics were not disclosed. The move aligns with broader industry trends—such as the anticipated $5,000 price tag for NVIDIA’s upcoming RTX 5090 GPU—highlighting how component scarcity continues to reshape hardware economics.
- Effective date: February 20, 2026
- Last day for current pricing: February 19, 2026
- Products affected: Laptops and pre-built desktops (excluding select items)
- Reason: Rising costs for memory (DRAM) and SSD components
- Regional scope: Japan only (no similar announcements from Acer’s other markets)
The price hikes underscore the ripple effects of global supply constraints. For context, DRAM prices have surged over 170% year-over-year, while SSD costs remain volatile due to production bottlenecks. Acer’s decision, though limited to Japan, signals how even established manufacturers are struggling to mitigate the fallout from these shortages.
Customers in Japan should act quickly if considering purchases, as the window for pre-hike pricing closes in less than a week. Meanwhile, the broader tech industry—including competitors and OEMs—may face similar adjustments as component costs show no signs of stabilization.
