"The personal computer has remained surprisingly resilient to change over the past 15 years. Apple promised a "post-PC" era with the iPad in 2010 and failed to deliver one. Smartphones even overtook laptops as the most popular device to connect to the internet a decade ago, but millions of people still kept buying PCs every year. But this PC resiliency is going to be tested even further this year."
"RAM and NAND / SSD prices have surged in recent months due to shortages created by AI data center demand. Some stores have had to sell memory like it's lobster, prebuilt PC costs have risen, and some assemblers are even selling PCs without RAM. Now, we're about to see how the shortage hits regular laptops and PCs from the likes of Lenovo, Dell, HP, Asus, and Acer."
"TrendForce predicts that memory prices are projected to "rise sharply again in the first quarter of 2026." More price rises will only put further pressure on laptop and PC pricing, and we're seeing early signs that PC makers are adjusting prices at CES this week. Asus announced to its channel partners this week that it's implementing price hikes across its products as a result of the memory market conditions."
The PC market has remained resilient over the past 15 years despite predictions of a "post-PC" era and the rise of smartphones, but that resiliency faces new pressure. RAM and NAND/SSD prices have surged because AI data center demand has tightened memory and storage supply. Retailers and builders are already experiencing higher prebuilt PC costs, memory stock shortages, and some assemblers selling systems without RAM. TrendForce projects memory prices will rise sharply again in Q1 2026, prompting PC makers to begin adjusting prices. Asus has informed channel partners of price hikes across products; other major vendors may follow.
Read at The Verge
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