The RAM shortage’s silver lining: Less talk about “AI PCs”

The surge in RAM prices poses a significant challenge for individuals looking to buy, build, or upgrade their computers this year. However, this situation may bring relief to those weary of the incessant chatter surrounding AI-powered PCs. As reported by Ars Technica, the escalating demand from data centers—driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence—has resulted in a notable shortage of RAM and flash memory chips, causing prices to soar. In a recent statement, Ben Yeh, a principal analyst at the technology research firm Omdia, highlighted that by 2025, the costs of mainstream PC memory and storage are projected to increase by an alarming 40 to 70 percent, a burden that will inevitably be passed onto consumers. Despite these challenges, Omdia noted an overall increase in global PC shipments for 2025, estimating a growth rate of 9.2 percent compared to the previous year. Similarly, IDC reported a growth of 9.6 percent, although analysts are bracing for a more turbulent market in 2026. "The coming year is expected to be extremely volatile," stated Jean Philippe Bouchard, research VP at IDC. To navigate the RAM shortage, analysts predict that PC manufacturers will likely respond by hiking prices and introducing computers with reduced memory specifications. IDC anticipates a price increase of 15 to 20 percent, along with an average reduction in RAM specs to maintain available inventory. Omdia's Yeh foresees a trend towards leaner configurations, particularly in the mid to low-tier segments, in order to safeguard profit margins. According to Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC, these RAM shortages are expected to extend beyond 2026, significantly impacting the cost-sensitive consumer segment. Vendors are likely to shift their focus towards midrange and premium systems to counterbalance the rising component costs, especially concerning memory.