Rising demand for artificial intelligence hardware is driving up the price of personal computers in the Philippines, according to Lenovo Philippines country general manager Michael Ngan. He said many Filipino buyers are putting off purchases because laptops have become harder to afford. Ngan spoke on the sidelines of the 3rd Lenovo Leaders Circle Gold Invitational at The Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Ngan said laptops that used to sell for about P50,000 now cost more than P80,000, an increase of around 60 per cent. He claimed server prices have climbed by as much as 300 per cent over the past 12 months. He blamed higher component costs, tight supply and a move towards premium devices with AI features. Chipmakers, he said, are giving priority to processors with better margins, and he pointed to Intel’s reported supply limits. He also questioned whether entry-level machines need AI at all, noting that Celeron and Pentium lines are being phased out and that lower-end Core chips could follow.
Ngan accepted that the price rises are widening the gap between those who can and cannot afford devices. “There’s a digital divide because of the affordability,” he said. Even so, he argued that demand has been delayed rather than lost. He cited GfK data showing fewer PC purchases, and said Lenovo’s laptop sales before the June school reopening, normally a busy period, were weaker than expected. Many machines bought during the Covid-19 pandemic are due for replacement, but cost concerns have held that wave back. Some companies are asking for bigger budgets, while others are stretching refresh cycles or buying only essential equipment.
Lenovo’s own revenue has risen sharply despite pressure on unit sales, Ngan said, as the company shifts its focus towards servers, hybrid AI infrastructure and professional services. It is also promoting TruScale, a subscription model that lets businesses pay recurring fees for devices, infrastructure and services instead of large upfront sums. He said many local enterprises remain cautious about AI spending, doubting its value and worrying about the cost of putting it in place.
Lenovo is working with partners on AI tools for bank fraud detection, warehouse automation, manufacturing and logistics. Financial services firms were the first to adopt such systems, and interest from telecoms, manufacturing and logistics companies is growing. Ngan advised businesses to judge AI projects by measurable results rather than industry hype. He does not expect PC prices to fall before December 2026, and said the outlook for 2027 remains uncertain.
