Big laptop price hikes are coming, and memory shortages are the driving force behind the trend.
The surge in artificial intelligence adoption is reshaping tech buying habits in ways that affect everyone, even if you don’t use AI every day. A prime example is how it’s influencing personal computers—especially laptops—and smartphones.
We’re currently experiencing a global memory crunch, largely driven by the rapid expansion of AI data centers and their massive appetite for components like dynamic random access memory (DRAM), Samsung DDR5 RAM, and solid-state drives (SSDs). This shortage is pushing prices upward across the board. In fact, a CNBC report projects smartphone prices could climb about 6.9% in 2026 due to this AI-fueled chip and memory shortage.
Industry chatter supports the worry. Samsung has reportedly doubled the contract price of DDR5 memory, and Framework—the company known for repair-friendly, enthusiast-grade laptops—has also raised DDR5 RAM prices by about 50%. As memory suppliers raise their prices, device makers are likely to pass those costs on to consumers.
The memory squeeze isn’t limited to a single brand. HP has warned that PC prices will rise next year because memory supplies can’t keep pace, according to PCMag. Lenovo and Dell have echoed similar concerns, per PC Gamer. The RAM shortage is so acute that some analysts expect manufacturers to release more low-performance 8GB RAM laptops in 2026 as a practicality—yet this sacrifices performance for affordability. Either way, buyers end up paying more.
And there’s no clear end in sight. While there’s talk of an AI market bubble, the demand for data centers shows little sign of abating. The AI ecosystem’s growth appears poised to continue, potentially for the foreseeable future.
So, if you’re considering a new laptop, desktop, or PC components, it’s wise to shop sooner rather than later. The DDR5 RAM you need could become significantly more expensive in just a few months, and delaying could limit your options.
