AI Memory Shortage Pushes Laptop Prices Higher as RAM Costs Surge

RAM price increases are no longer limited to desktop memory kits. The shortage is now affecting complete laptops, and buyers may soon see higher prices across mainstream PC models.

The cheapest 32GB DDR5 kit reached around $439 on June 15. Last year, similar kits were often available for roughly $80 to $120, meaning memory prices have increased by around three to four times.

AI demand is driving the RAM shortage

The biggest reason behind the price jump is demand from AI data centers. Large U.S. tech companies are expected to spend about $650 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, which is putting heavy pressure on the memory supply.

Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are shifting more production toward high-bandwidth memory, or HBM. This memory type brings higher margins, but it also uses much more wafer space than standard DRAM.

As a result, AI-focused memory production is reducing the available supply of commodity DDR5 memory used in PCs and laptops.

Laptop makers are already raising prices

HP told investors that memory now accounts for about 35% of a PC’s component cost. That is up from roughly 15% to 18% just two quarters earlier.

Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS have reportedly increased laptop prices by 15% to 30%. A midrange laptop that previously cost around $900 could now move above $1,200.

The shortage may also push manufacturers back toward 8GB notebooks to keep prices lower. That would reverse the recent shift toward 16GB RAM as the mainstream laptop standard.

Relief may not arrive soon

Analysts do not expect meaningful relief before late 2027, and the shortage could continue into 2028. New memory fabs take time to build and reach volume production.

Gartner estimates that combined DRAM and SSD prices could rise by more than 130% by the end of 2026. The firm also expects average PC prices to rise by 17%, while global PC shipments could fall by 10.4%.

For buyers, the message is simple: if you need more RAM, storage, or a new laptop soon, upgrading earlier may be safer than waiting for prices to normalize.

The memory crunch comes as Microsoft continues expanding its Surface lineup. The company recently unveiled new Surface Pro 12 and Surface Pro 8 models, alongside business editions for users who need more functionality.

Via NotebookCheck