Microsoft has implemented price hikes for its Surface hardware lineup in the UK, driven by a global shortage of memory components.
New pricing for several models is already visible on Microsoft's official site. The 13-inch Surface Laptop now starts at £1,099, up from £899 in February, while the 15-inch model has risen from £1,349 to £1,519.
Similar increases affect the Surface Pro range. The 12-inch model has climbed from £779 to £999, and the 13-inch version now sits at £1,199, up from £1,029.
Component costs driving hikes
A Microsoft spokesperson attributed the changes to rising expenses for essential parts. "Due to recent increases in memory and component costs, Surface is updating pricing on Microsoft.com for its current-generation hardware portfolio," the spokesperson told The Register.
The company added that it remains committed to maintaining quality and innovation standards despite the rising costs.
The price movement in the UK mirrors more aggressive hikes seen in the United States. As first reported by Windows Central, Microsoft pushed some US Surface configurations from $999 to $1,499.
The shortage stems from chip makers prioritizing High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) production. This shift has left the market struggling with diminishing supplies of DRAM and NAND flash memory.
This supply crunch is affecting the broader hardware industry. Raspberry Pi recently implemented its own price increases due to the same memory drought.
Industry forecasts suggest the pressure will persist. Geopolitical tensions and rising freight costs are adding further strain to the global semiconductor supply chain.
