Many schools and government organizations are looking ahead to 2025 with uncertainty about the price of technology. One of the largest areas of concern comes from President-elect Donald Trump’s widely publicized plans to impose a 10% tariff on all foreign imports and a 60% tariff on products from China. Since more than 90% of the world’s computers are currently manufactured in China, this could have a huge impact on computer affordability heading into 2025, especially for schools and government agencies who often have limited budgets for technology.
How Will Tariffs Affect Computer Prices in 2025?
If computer manufacturers were to fully offset the costs of tariffs on consumers, it’s possible that laptop, tablet, and Chromebook prices could jump by as much as 46%. That’s according to an October 2024 report commissioned by the CTA (Consumer Technology Association) and researched by Trade Partnership Worldwide LLC (TPW). A typical $750 laptop could see a price increase of up to $345 per device. Even the more modestly priced Chromebooks could see prices rise by $120 each, or more. Whether or not prices will actually go up by this much in 2025 is open for debate. Trump has argued that the tariffs will cause foreign companies to move manufacturing operations to the United States to avoid the tariffs, but changes like that could take time.
Additional Factors Could Make Computers Cost More In 2025
Tariffs aside, there are many other reasons why computer prices could go up in 2025:
- Semiconductor supply chain shortages: Anne Hoecker, Head of Americas Technology & Cloud Services at the management consulting firm Bain & Company was quoted in a recent semiconductor market outlook article published by Sourcengine saying, “The onslaught of AI-enabled devices may accelerate PC refresh cycles and pose extreme widespread supply constraints for semiconductors.” This would not only limit the availability of new devices, but higher demand could also raise prices.
- Inflation: Global costs for materials and labor have increased considerably since 2021, causing an upward price trend for all products, computers included.
- Freight and warehousing demand: High demand for shipping and storage could lead to additional pressures on pricing and availability for technology hardware.
How Can I Prepare for Technology Price Increases in 2025?
The most obvious way to prepare for possible 2025 price increases is to buy computers and technology now, while the prices are still comparatively low. But that’s not always easy for schools and government organizations that are bound by annual budgets and fiscal calendar years. Here are some proactive steps you can take now to maximize your 2025 buying power:
- Plan ahead for key purchases: Even if you can’t buy immediately, identifying your needs now will help you be ready to make timely decisions amid a rapidly changing market. Our staff at Trafera includes many former educators, Technology Directors, and government employees who can help craft your 2025 technology plans. We can also leverage our manufacturer relationships to gain insight into which devices are likely to be affected by 2025 market changes.
- Consider purchase alternatives: If you don’t have the resources to cover the full cost of buying devices early, you may be interested in options like leasing or “Device as a Service” (DaaS) plans. These will allow you to lock in your pricing now, and then structure payments across two, three, or four years. Trafera has many financial services available–all individually customizable and tailored specifically for schools and government entities.
- Look for last year’s models: Many computer models don’t drastically change year over year. There’s a good chance that last year’s models will suit your needs well into the future and won’t be affected by 2025 tariff costs. That is if you can find them. Our advice is to start shopping early and don’t be afraid to ask our Trafera sales consultants for help locating hidden gems that may still be available. High-quality refurbished devices are also an option for those looking for laptops or PCs.
- Keep using your current devices: Sometimes, buying new devices just isn’t an option. If you’re sticking with older devices, it’s critical to make sure you have a plan in place for timely repairs. Keeping extra parts and devices on hand to use as loaners can help smooth out interruptions. We also strongly recommend working with an experienced, reliable repair facility that can jump in if repairs get too overwhelming or beyond your level of expertise. At Trafera, we repair tens of thousands of devices per year–even ones that weren’t purchased from us. Our Trafera EcoRepair program is a perfect solution to extend the life of devices that are no longer under warranty.
- Get a warranty: The cost of computers isn’t the only thing predicted to go up over the next few years. Computer parts will also likely be affected by tariffs and supply chain instabilities. A good warranty can protect you from future price increases by putting your maximum liability up-front. You can be confident your devices will last the full intended lifecycle without any additional costs. When choosing a warranty, keep in mind accidental damages that may not be covered by the manufacturer. Also look at things like batteries, loss, and theft. Our Trafera warranty is famous for its comprehensiveness, ease of use, and rapid repair times. We would be happy to connect you with a Trafera customer in your area to give an honest review of what it’s like working with us.
Early Purchasing Options Only At Trafera
Trafera specializes in flexible, timely technology solutions for schools and government entities. Helping our customers stay ahead of possible 2025 price increases is important to us. We’ve created two exclusive programs to help make early purchasing possible for those with July-based purchasing schedules.
- Deferred invoicing until July 1, 2025: Upon request, and for those who qualify, Trafera will allow you to lock in pricing now on currently available devices and will hold off on your invoice until the new fiscal year begins on July 1, 2025. If you can’t send a Purchase Order until July 1, contact us. We might have options available.
- School-Year-Term Warranties: A big reason schools sometimes avoid purchasing laptops and Chromebooks during non-summer months is concern about their warranties expiring mid-year. Trafera solves that with our school-year-term warranties. For those who request it, we will extend your warranty to cover the gap between when you buy and when the school year ends. You can be confident your tech will last the full school year, even if you buy early.
For these and other solutions, please reach out to your Trafera sales consultant before these programs end.