The challenge: higher prices, tighter supply, stretched budgets
The device market has shifted quickly in 2026. A global memory shortage, driven largely by demand from AI data centers, is pushing up the cost of the components inside every laptop and Chromebook.
- Prices are rising. Gartner forecasts that PC prices will rise 17% by the end of 2026, as combined memory and storage costs climb 130%.
- Supply is tightening. Gartner also expects global PC shipments to fall 10.4% in 2026, which it calls the steepest drop in over a decade.
- Entry-level devices are disappearing. According to the same research, the entry-level PC segment under 500 US dollars is expected to disappear by 2028. That is exactly the price range many classroom devices sit in today.
For school boards, these pressures land on budgets that are already stretched. In Ontario alone, five boards under provincial supervision are still projecting combined deficits of more than 116 million dollars for 2026–27 (Source: Global News). Many boards across the country face similar choices between staffing, programs and technology.
The result: a device refresh planned at the last minute may cost more, take longer to arrive and compete with other priorities for the same budget.
Why planning early matters
Most Canadian school boards work to a September-to-August school year, with budgets approved in late spring. Devices then need to be ordered, delivered, set up and in students' hands before the first day of school. That leaves very little room for delays.
Starting now gives your team time to make clear, confident decisions instead of rushed ones. A simple timeline for a September 2027 rollout could look like this:
- November to January: review your current fleet. Which devices are reaching end of life, and what will students and staff need next year?
- February to April: align your plan with the 2027–28 budget and compare funding options, including leasing.
- May to June: confirm your order and secure delivery dates.
- July to August: deliver, set up and deploy devices, ready for the first day of class.
Boards that secure their requirements early are better placed to lock in pricing, avoid supply delays and protect their budget from surprises.
How leasing helps school boards stay ahead
Buying every device outright means a large upfront cost, often at the very moment prices are at their highest. Leasing gives your board a different way to access the technology students need. At CHG-MERIDIAN, we have been helping organizations do exactly that since 1979.
- Predictable costs. Instead of one large capital purchase, you spread the cost over regular payments that are easier to plan for, year after year.
- Freedom of choice. We finance technology from any manufacturer, from Chromebooks and Windows laptops to tablets, so your team chooses the devices that suit your classrooms best.
- A refresh cycle you can count on. When the lease ends, devices are replaced on schedule, so students aren't left working on aging equipment.
- Full visibility. With tesma, our asset management platform, your IT team can track every device across every school in one place.
- Secure, responsible end of life. At the end of the lease, we collect your devices and erase all data with our certified eraSURE® process. Devices are then refurbished and given a second life, keeping technology in use and out of landfill.
The result is simple: up-to-date technology in every classroom, costs your finance team can plan for, and one partner to support you every step of the way.
Managing thousands of devices with tesma
A single school board can manage thousands of devices spread across dozens of schools. Keeping track of who has what, which devices are due for replacement and what everything costs can quickly become a full-time job.
That's where tesma comes in. Our asset management platform brings all your device information together in one place, giving your IT and finance teams a clear, real-time view of your entire fleet.
What CHG-MERIDIAN can finance for your schools
We finance technology from any manufacturer, so your board can build the learning environment that works best for your students. That includes student Chromebooks, laptops and tablets, teacher and staff devices, interactive displays, charging carts, printers, and the network and server infrastructure that keeps every school connected. We can also bundle services such as setup, rollout and warranty into a single agreement, giving you one partner and one predictable payment.
Start planning your 2027 refresh today
The earlier you start, the more options you have. Our education specialists at CHG-MERIDIAN Canada work alongside school board IT and finance teams to review your current fleet, model your options and build a refresh plan that fits your budget cycle.
Ready to start planning for September 2027? Contact our team
Frequently asked questions
Now is the ideal time. Starting in November gives you time to review your fleet and compare options before budgets are approved in the spring, and to secure delivery dates well ahead of the summer rollout.
Yes. CHG-MERIDIAN is independent of manufacturers, so you can choose Chromebooks, Windows laptops, tablets or a mix, from the brands that work best for your schools.
Not necessarily. When you compare the full cost over the life of a device, including setup, management, end-of-life collection and data erasure, leasing can offer a lower total cost of ownership. It also spreads costs over predictable payments instead of one large upfront purchase.
We tailor each agreement to your needs. Payment schedules can be structured to align with your school year and budget planning, so your finance team knows exactly what to expect.
At the end of the lease, we collect your devices and securely erase all data using our certified eraSURE® process. The devices are then refurbished and remarketed, giving them a second life.