Ramagedon: Why Laptop & PC Prices Are Rising in 2026
Gekko Team
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If you are planning to upgrade your laptops or PCs this year, timing matters more than usual.
Prices are already climbing, and industry forecasts indicate continued increases throughout 2026 and potentially into 2027. The core issue is not typical inflation or seasonal demand. It is a structural shift in the global technology market, driven by AI.
What Is "Ramageddon"?
“Ramageddon” is the term being used to describe the ongoing shortage of memory components, particularly DRAM and NAND flash.
Key Takeaway
Building resilient infrastructure also requires robust backup and disaster recovery planning to minimise operational disruption.
These are essential parts of every modern device:
DRAM powers system performance and multitasking
DRAM is the fast, short-term memory that keeps devices running smoothly. It handles active tasks like apps, tabs and processes so everything responds instantly. Unlike storage, it’s built for speed, not permanence, making it essential for everyday performance and seamless multitasking.
NAND flash is used for storage in SSDs
The supply of both is under pressure due to an unexpected competitor for resources: artificial intelligence infrastructure.
What's Causing the Price Increase?
The primary driver behind rising laptop and PC prices is a global reallocation of memory supply.
1. AI Is Consuming the Supply Chain
AI data centres require High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), a specialised and high-performance form of memory. The rapid growth in business AI adoption is contributing to increased pressure on global hardware and memory supply chains.
This means:
- Less DRAM and NAND available for consumer devices
- Increased competition for remaining supply
- Higher costs across the board
2. Projected Price Increases
Industry data suggests:
- Laptop and PC prices could rise by 25 to 40 percent
- A standard 16GB RAM laptop may increase by £60 to £100
- SSD pricing is also trending upwards
These increases are already being passed through to buyers.
What This Means for Buyers
Higher Costs
The same specification will cost more than it did just a few months ago. This is not limited to premium devices. Entry and mid-range laptops are also affected.
Reduced Value for Money
As hardware costs rise, some businesses are exploring cloud computing solutions to reduce dependency on frequent device upgrades. Buyers may find themselves making trade-offs:
- Lower RAM or storage to stay within budget
- Older models becoming more appealing due to price stability
- Delayed upgrades becoming more common
Longer-Term Disruption
This is not a short-term spike. Memory production capacity takes years to expand, meaning supply constraints could continue until at least 2027.
Additional Factors Pushing Prices Up
While memory shortages are the main driver, several other market shifts are reinforcing the trend:
Major manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo and HP have already implemented price increases
Companies like Micron are shifting production focus towards AI infrastructure
SSD prices are rising alongside memory costs
GPU shortages may re-emerge as demand for AI hardware accelerates
Together, these factors create a compounding effect across the entire hardware market.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
For most businesses and individuals, waiting is unlikely to result in better pricing in the short term.
If you:
- Need to upgrade within the next 6 to 12 months
- Are planning bulk purchases for teams
- Rely on consistent hardware performance
Acting sooner may reduce exposure to further price increases. However, if your current devices are still performing well, it may be worth monitoring the market and reassessing later in the year.
Final Thoughts
The rise in laptop and PC prices is not just another market fluctuation. It reflects a fundamental shift in how global technology resources
are being allocated. AI is reshaping supply chains, and consumer hardware is feeling the impact.
Understanding this shift allows you to make more informed decisions, whether that means accelerating upgrades, adjusting budgets, or rethinking your hardware strategy altogether.
Many organisations are now reviewing their managed IT support strategy to better plan hardware refresh cycles and future infrastructure investments. It makes sense to audit your current infrastructure asset landscape, and understand your upcoming replacement requirements over the next
6-12-months. This will help you to plan budgets and maximise savings. If you would like help with this, book a meeting with Kristian: https://calendly.com/kristian-burrill/30min
Planning Your Next Upgrade?
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