The explosion in memory prices is expected to have consequences that will be felt for several years. In addition to stock shortages, many products will see their prices increase. Of course, computers are at the forefront in this area.
A recent report published by research firm Gartner reveals that global PC shipments will fall by 10.4% in 2026 compared to last year. By the end of 2026, DRAM and SSD storage prices are expected to increase by 130%. As a result, RAM will account for an average of 23% of the total cost of a computer, compared to 16% in 2025.
Worse still, retailers will no longer be able to absorb this increase and will have to pass it on to their products. For example, entry-level computers, which have extremely low profit margins, will no longer be profitable at all. Thus, this more affordable range could disappear completely in the coming months.
“Ultimately, we expect the sub-$500 entry-level PC segment will disappear by 2028.”
Consumers are expected to keep their computers longer, with the average lifespan increasing by 15% for businesses and 20% for individuals. This trend could raise concerns about the security of older devices, which are more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
