Laptop prices could soar by at least 20% in 2026, not just due to higher DRAM costs

Memory prices have risen at an alarming rate in recent months. Even a budget 32 GB RAM kit now costs more than $220, having tripled in price over the past three months. According to memory giant TeamGroup, DRAM prices will continue to climb throughout 2026, with no relief in sight until at least 2027, when production capacity finally catches up with surging demand driven by leading AI companies such as OpenAI.

ZDNet Korea reports that PC manufacturers are being forced to raise product prices by at least 20% next year compared to their immediate predecessors. Whilst skyrocketing DRAM costs are a primary factor, prices of SSDs, processors and batteries – essential components in every laptop – have also increased. According to a source from the supply chain of a major PC maker, the only solution is to ramp up production volumes to meet rising demand. However, it takes time to establish new factories and production lines.

The situation is further exacerbated by memory manufacturers prioritising products with higher profit margins, especially high-bandwidth memory (HBM) designed for server chips used by companies like OpenAI. As a result, production capacity has been shifted from DDR5 RAM to HBM, leaving the consumer-oriented memory in short supply. A similar trend is also affecting SSDs: Laptop makers are reportedly only able to order limited quantities – insufficient to meet the expected demand for laptops.