The weak rand and poor economic situation has already raised the spectre of hefty price increases for IT products.
Now, a shortage of Intel processors – which are at the heart of more than 90% of the world’s laptops – is adding to the likelihood that South Africans will have to fork out more for a computer and or components.
Any way you look at it, significant price increases for laptops, desktops, tablets and IT components appear to be on the horizon.
But there are some ways you can beat the hike – or at least, mitigate it, according to Asus.
The company advises consumers that the best advice is to buy now – as retailers and resellers still have stock available that they bought when the rand was stronger. When that stock runs out, higher prices will come into effect.
If you’re not able to buy immediately, wait for the Black Friday (23 November) and festive season sales as competition between retailers and resellers is likely to keep prices low.
From next year, however, consumers will almost certainly pay more for computers and PC components.
Asus estimates that while demand and competition will dictate the size of jump, it is likely to be in the region of 20%.
It offers this advice on how beat the price increase:
* Buy now – the stock currently held by most retailers was bought when the rand was stronger and so computers and components are still available at old, lower prices.
* Look out for the Black Friday, festive season sales as the competition between vendors and resellers is likely to keep prices low.
* Buy a device at an expo – such as rAge and Comic Con Africa – as participating vendors or resellers offer good exhibition discounts.
* Trade in your old device – this serves the dual purpose of providing you with credit you can use towards a new device while also helping you get rid of your old laptop / device.
* Buy only what you need. While the reason you need a laptop and how you intend to use it should always be at the forefront of your mind, you should also take into account that every extra specification costs you more.