Memory and storage costs for mainstream PCs increased significantly in 2025, rising between 40 and 70 percent, a shift largely attributed to the growing demands of data centers supporting the artificial intelligence boom. This surge in demand has led to a shortage of RAM and flash memory chips, consequently driving up prices for consumers, according to a recent announcement by technology research firm Omdia.

Ben Yeh, principal analyst at Omdia, stated that these cost increases are being passed directly to customers. The price hikes present a silver lining, however, for those weary of the increasing focus on "AI PCs," a term used to describe personal computers equipped with hardware specifically designed to accelerate AI tasks. The increased cost of RAM may temper the industry's push towards these specialized machines.

While global PC shipments saw growth in 2025, with Omdia reporting a 9.2 percent increase compared to 2024 and IDC reporting 9.6 percent growth, analysts anticipate a more unstable market in 2026. Jean Philippe Bouchard, research VP with IDC’s worldwide mobile device trackers, described the upcoming year as "extremely volatile" in a statement. Both Omdia and IDC expect PC manufacturers to actively manage the RAM shortage.

The AI boom has placed immense pressure on data centers, which require vast amounts of memory to train and operate complex AI models. This increased demand has strained the supply chain, leading to shortages and price increases across the board. The implications extend beyond just PC users, potentially affecting the cost of other electronic devices that rely on RAM and flash memory.

The concept of "AI PCs" involves integrating dedicated AI accelerators, such as neural processing units (NPUs), directly into personal computers. These NPUs are designed to handle AI tasks more efficiently than traditional CPUs or GPUs, enabling faster performance for applications like image recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning. However, the added cost of these components, coupled with the rising price of RAM, could make AI PCs less attractive to consumers in the short term.

The current RAM shortage highlights the interconnectedness of the technology industry and the impact of emerging technologies like AI on established markets. As PC makers navigate the challenges of supply chain constraints and fluctuating prices, the focus on AI PCs may temporarily subside, allowing the industry to address the underlying issues before fully embracing this new category of devices. The situation remains fluid, and the long-term impact on the PC market will depend on how quickly the supply of RAM can meet the growing demand.