Dell and Lenovo may limit mid-range laptops to 8GB DDR5 RAM in response to rising memory prices

Higher DDR5 memory prices could have a dramatic impact on the marketplace for years. A new TrendForce report suggests that manufacturers will offer more laptops with 8GB of RAM. However, buyers may have to accept a lower price-to-performance ratio.

A bleak future for laptop deals

Companies like Dell and Framework have already made memory upgrades more expensive. As a result, it’s more difficult to tempt buyers with discounts on these machines. Downgrading configurations is not an ideal solution, but it may be the only way to keep asking prices reasonable.

TrendForce explains that the most dramatic changes could come with mid-range models. With 16GB or higher memory capacities available, they handle most demands. The report predicts that 8GB laptops will become much more common in this price bracket. Buyers concerned about performance may need to consider a more expensive alternative.

Premium business or gaming laptops with 32GB or 64GB of DDR5 memory will see inflated MSRPs. Meanwhile, manufacturers have less flexibility with budget notebooks. Lowering their specs would make the affordable options struggle with even basic tasks in Windows 11.

Another problem manufacturers face is with notebooks that ship with soldered DRAM. In particular, ultrathin designs would need to be revamped to modify their configurations.

Optimization is critical during the memory shortage

To accommodate less capable laptops, buyers are already calling on vendors to reduce bloat. Unfortunately, some resource-hungry background tasks are a function of Windows. Each new version of the Microsoft OS has consumed more memory, which seems like more of a glaring issue now.

Even though consumers are experiencing sticker shock, it may not be until Q2 2026 that all laptops suffer price hikes. Some vendors are more prepared for the turmoil with larger component stockpiles. Other companies may be willing to absorb losses in the hopes that the crisis eases.

With overwhelming demand from AI data centers, laptops using DDR5 RAM aren’t the only products threatened. The TrendForce report also details how smartphone makers will revise their inventories.