The surge in RAM prices, driven by the escalating demands of data centers supporting the artificial intelligence boom, is expected to indirectly temper the industry's focus on "AI PCs." According to a recent report by Ars Technica, the increased demand for RAM and flash memory chips has led to a shortage, causing prices to skyrocket. Ben Yeh, principal analyst at technology research firm Omdia, stated in an announcement that mainstream PC memory and storage costs rose by 40 to 70 percent in 2025, with these cost increases being passed on to consumers.
This RAM shortage presents a complex scenario for the PC market. While global PC shipments saw growth in 2025, with Omdia estimating a 9.2 percent increase compared to 2024 and IDC reporting a 9.6 percent rise, analysts anticipate greater instability in PC sales for 2026. Jean Philippe Bouchard, research VP with IDC's worldwide mobile device trackers, noted that the coming year is shaping up to be extremely volatile. Both Omdia and IDC expect PC manufacturers to actively manage the RAM shortage.
The increased cost of RAM could shift the industry's attention away from aggressively marketing "AI PCs," which are personal computers equipped with hardware and software designed to accelerate AI tasks locally. These tasks can range from image and video processing to natural language processing and machine learning inference. The core concept behind AI PCs is to bring AI processing closer to the user, reducing latency and improving privacy by minimizing reliance on cloud-based AI services. However, the higher cost of memory, a critical component for AI-related workloads, may force manufacturers to prioritize cost-effectiveness over advanced AI capabilities in their PC offerings.
The implications of this shift extend beyond the consumer market. The development and adoption of AI PCs are seen by some as a crucial step towards democratizing access to AI technology. By enabling individuals and small businesses to run AI applications on their local machines, AI PCs could foster innovation and reduce dependence on large tech companies that control cloud-based AI infrastructure. A slowdown in the adoption of AI PCs could therefore hinder the broader dissemination of AI capabilities and potentially exacerbate existing inequalities in access to technology.
The current RAM shortage highlights the interconnectedness of the technology industry and the far-reaching consequences of the AI boom. As data centers continue to expand to meet the growing demand for AI services, the resulting strain on component supply chains is impacting various sectors, including the PC market. The situation underscores the need for strategic resource management and diversification of supply chains to mitigate future disruptions and ensure equitable access to essential technologies. The coming months will be crucial in determining how PC manufacturers adapt to the RAM shortage and whether the focus on "AI PCs" will remain a central theme in the industry's narrative.
AI-Assisted Journalism
This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
Egnyte, a cloud content governance company, is strategically hiring junior engineers and equipping them with AI coding tools like Claude Code and Gemini CLI. This approach accelerates onboarding and development, demonstrating how AI can augment human capabilities and scale engineering capacity, rather than replace developers, within enterprise environments.
Roblox's new AI-driven age verification system, intended to create safer chat environments, is facing criticism for inaccurate age estimations and failing to prevent predatory behavior. Experts highlight the system's flaws, while the emergence of age-verified accounts for sale raises concerns about circumventing the intended safety measures, underscoring the challenges of implementing AI solutions at scale.
A second Trump administration would likely prioritize online perception and right-wing social media trends when making policy decisions, according to a public policy expert. This approach could lead to policies driven by misinformation and conspiracy theories amplified on social media platforms, a departure from traditional policy-making processes. The Department of Homeland Security's social media activity and the influence of right-wing online personalities are cited as examples of this trend.
Hulu isn't just a streaming service; it's a TV trailblazer, snagging the first-ever Emmy for a streamer with "The Handmaid's Tale" and smashing records with "Shōgun." With a mix of critically acclaimed originals and exclusive network content, Hulu remains a top destination for quality entertainment, proving it's more than just a Netflix alternative.
The Repair Act is under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to grant vehicle owners access to their car's data, which is currently restricted to manufacturers and authorized technicians. This legislation seeks to enable independent repairs and modifications, potentially lowering costs and increasing convenience by mandating data sharing relevant to vehicle maintenance.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has removed a webpage warning against unproven and potentially harmful autism treatments, some promoted by figures associated with the anti-vaccine movement and the wellness industry, raising concerns about the dissemination of misinformation regarding autism care. This action comes amid a global debate on vaccine safety and the rise of alternative health practices, reflecting a broader challenge in ensuring evidence-based healthcare information reaches vulnerable populations worldwide. The removal of this resource could have implications for public health, particularly in countries where access to reliable medical information is limited and alternative therapies are prevalent.
Hulu isn't just a streaming service; it's a TV trailblazer, snagging the first-ever Emmy for a streamer with "The Handmaid's Tale" and smashing records with "Shōgun." With a mix of critically acclaimed originals and exclusive network partnerships, Hulu remains a top destination for quality TV that keeps audiences hooked.
The Repair Act is under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to grant vehicle owners access to their car's data, which is currently restricted to manufacturers and authorized technicians. This legislation seeks to empower consumers to perform their own repairs or choose independent service providers, potentially disrupting the automotive industry's current service model and fostering competition in the repair market.
The Department of Homeland Security is in a legal battle to unmask the owner of social media accounts critical of ICE activity, arguing the posts threatened agents. The account owner, citing First Amendment protections, claims the DHS is attempting to silence critics and expand subpoena power beyond legal limits. The DHS contends its actions are within its authority to investigate potential threats, not to stifle free speech.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has removed a webpage warning against unproven and potentially dangerous autism treatments, some of which are promoted by anti-vaccine advocates and wellness companies. This action raises concerns given the global prevalence of autism and the potential exploitation of vulnerable families seeking effective therapies, particularly in regions where access to evidence-based healthcare is limited. The deletion highlights the ongoing international debate surrounding autism treatments and the influence of alternative medicine, which often lacks rigorous scientific validation.
A newly discovered Linux malware framework, VoidLink, possesses advanced capabilities exceeding typical threats and targeting major cloud services like AWS and Azure. Featuring over 30 customizable modules, VoidLink enables attackers to perform reconnaissance, escalate privileges, and move laterally within compromised networks, signaling a potential shift towards more sophisticated Linux-based cyberattacks in the global cloud infrastructure. Its emergence highlights the increasing need for robust security measures across diverse operating systems, as traditionally Windows-focused attack strategies are now being adapted for Linux environments.
Rising RAM prices, driven by AI data center demands, are significantly increasing PC costs and potentially slowing the hype around "AI PCs" as manufacturers may opt for lower memory configurations to mitigate expenses. While PC shipments grew in 2025, analysts predict market volatility in 2026 due to these memory constraints, leading to anticipated price increases and adjusted hardware specifications for consumers.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment