Intel has announced a 10% increase in the price of its Core Ultra processors, effective from March 31, 2026. The measure will affect desktop and laptop lines. The company justifies the adjustment due to the high demand for semiconductors for AI infrastructure in data centers, which prioritizes manufacturing capacity. This increase will pressure equipment manufacturers' costs.
The impact on AI PCs and laptop cost structures 📈
The so-called AI PCs, which rely on the NPUs of these chips, will be the most affected. In the laptop segment, the CPU and RAM component already accounts for 58% of the device's total cost, according to industry analysis. An increase in the price of the main silicon forces OEMs to choose between absorbing the cost, reducing margins, or passing it on to the end consumer. This could slow the mass adoption of local AI features.
Get ready to pay the silicon neuron tax 😅
It seems that artificial intelligence, besides generating text and images, has learned to generate higher bills. Now your laptop won't just be smart, but also have a more clever price. Maybe Intel's next move will be to launch an NPU specialized only in calculating the percentage increase for next year. A technological advancement, no doubt.