REDMOND, Washington, April 16, 2026, 09:38 PDT
Microsoft bumped up pricing on all its current-gen Surface PCs in the U.S. online store, so buyers won’t find a consumer model under $1,000 now. The 12-inch Surface Pro opens at $1,049.99, while the 13-inch Surface Laptop lists for $1,149.99. For those eyeing the 13-inch Surface Pro or the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop, the sticker hits $1,499.99. The largest, the 15-inch Surface Laptop, jumps to $1,599.99. Microsoft attributed the increases to pricier memory and components.
This shift highlights how the AI-driven squeeze in RAM supply is hitting everyday hardware. TrendForce projects prices for standard DRAM—basic PC memory—will jump 58% to 63% in the second quarter. IDC, meanwhile, has revised its global PC shipment outlook and now sees an 11.3% drop in 2026, blaming tight memory supplies and broader constraints.
This move shifts Surface’s market position. Microsoft’s new device lineup, which previously targeted the $800 to $1,000 bracket, now kicks off closer to $1,050 and goes up to $1,500. Apple, on the other hand, is offering its MacBook Neo from $599.
Microsoft blamed “recent increases in memory and component costs” for the price hike, according to a spokesperson. Updated listings tracked by Thurrott show the 13-inch Surface Pro now starts at $1,499.99, up from $1,199.99, while the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop made the same $300 leap. The Verge noted Microsoft had pulled its $999 models last year, which only amplifies the jump in sticker price. Thurrott
Things get steeper at the high end. Microsoft’s U.S. store has a 15-inch Surface Laptop with 64GB RAM and 1TB storage going for $3,649.99. Certain 1TB options are showing a $450 discount for now, and there’s still up to $600 in trade-in credits on the table.
IDC analyst Jitesh Ubrani flagged memory shortages as a problem for the whole industry, warning they might shake up market dynamics through the next two years. His colleague Jean Philippe Bouchard added that vendors could end up lowering the average memory included in PCs just to keep inventory flowing.
Gartner analyst Ranjit Atwal didn’t mince words. He warned that the combined cost of memory and SSDs could rocket 130% by the end of 2026—enough to push PC prices up 17% compared to 2025, and potentially wipe out already thin-profit entry-level laptops. By 2028, Gartner sees the under-$500 PC vanishing.
It’s a tough spot for Microsoft. Apple’s MacBook Neo launches at $599, while there’s no current-gen Surface available from Microsoft itself for less than $1,000.
Still, that price hike could easily blow up if shoppers hold off, switch to cheaper models, or opt for refurbished gear. IDC flagged the risk that people might just push back their buying plans or spend on something else entirely. Ryan Reith called out “massive disruption” across the tech sector, adding there’s barely any visibility on when things might stabilize. IDC
Microsoft’s already reaching for offsets. The store highlights student discounts and device trade-ins, plus The Verge flagged a fresh U.S. college deal: Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundled with certain Windows PCs, available until June 30. Yet, if you’re eyeing a current-gen Surface straight from Microsoft, don’t look for anything under $1,000—it’s not there.
