新浪财经·2025-11-18 13:20Core Viewpoint - The global storage chip contract prices have experienced a rare nonlinear surge since Q2 2025, driven by the high demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) from AI accelerators like NVIDIA's H100, leading to a significant impact on traditional PC DRAM and NAND supply and pricing [2][4][18] Supply Chain Dynamics - The demand for high-performance SSDs and HBM has led manufacturers to prioritize production for higher-margin products, resulting in a squeeze on mid-range DDR and client SSD supplies, which in turn drives up spot and contract prices [4][5] - By 2025, the global DRAM market revenue is expected to exceed $200 billion, with HBM contributing over half of the profit growth despite accounting for less than 30% of the market [4][5] Impact on PC Manufacturers - Traditional PC manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Acer are facing significant pressure on profit margins due to rising storage costs, with estimates suggesting a potential decline in PC gross margins by 2-4 percentage points for Dell and HP in FY 2026 [6][10] - The average storage cost increase of 20% for an $800 laptop could add $30-$50 to the bill of materials (BOM), potentially eroding 3-6 percentage points of gross margin if manufacturers cannot fully pass on costs [5][6] Resilience of Lenovo and Apple - Lenovo and Apple are viewed as exceptions that may benefit from the storage price surge due to their strong customer bases and supply chain management capabilities [3][18] - Lenovo's PC business has a high proportion of enterprise customers (over 65%), allowing for better cost transferability and stability compared to competitors reliant on consumer markets [10][12] - Apple's supply chain control and high-end product positioning enable it to transfer costs more effectively, with a lower BOM percentage for storage components [15][16] Competitive Advantages - Lenovo's market share and procurement strategies provide it with significant bargaining power, allowing it to secure better contract prices and prioritize delivery from suppliers [14][18] - Apple maintains a strong position in the supply chain through long-term contracts with suppliers, ensuring priority access to components and lower costs [15][16] Market Outlook - The ongoing surge in storage chip prices is likely to reshape the cost structure of the entire PC industry, with Lenovo and Apple expected to maintain or even expand their market shares amid the turmoil [18]