Apr 11, 2026
If you've been looking to buy a reasonably priced computer, laptop, mobile phone or tablet, it's time to make your move. In fact, you may already have missed the window for a quick delivery or good price.
You're not just competing with other consumers. You're competing with the biggest players in artificial intelligence. It's not the devices they want. It's the RAM memory chips that power them.
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Their AI data centers are using more RAM hardware than is available globally, with trickle-down impact to consumer delivery timelines and costs (1). According to Counterpoint Research, the cost of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) spiked over 80% in the first six weeks of 2026 (2).
Tech Radar reports (3) that delivery of a standard Apple M4 Mac Mini — which used to ship in a day — could take five weeks. Or even three months if you want more RAM (say, 24GB instead of 16GB).
With students using ChatGPT for homework help, families using it to plan their next vacation, or healthy eaters using it to meal plan for the week, the demand for AI data centers and the volume of RAM hardware required to run them continues to rise.
The supply of RAM memory chips simply cannot meet the demand, and it's only going to get worse. From September to February, the price of a single 64GB stick of RAM went from $250 to over $1,000 (4).
Gamers have referred to this RAM crisis as RAMageddon (5) and the shortage is already having a global impact.
RAMageddon hits households everywhere
RAM is Random Access Memory (6). RAM hardware stores all the information your device needs to run its operating system, apps and programs quickly and efficiently.
An AI data center requires high-performance RAM and uses much more RAM memory than a laptop.
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"A single AI server can use as much advanced memory as a dozen or even hundreds of traditional laptops," says (7) Matteo Rinaldi, director of Northeastern University's Institute for NanoSystems Innovation.
In 2026, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle are set to spend half a trillion dollars between them on the AI build-out (8). One third of that is being spent on RAM (9), according to Dylan Patel, the founder of SemiAnalysis, a popular semiconductor-research firm.
To meet the profitable demand, RAM manufacturers have shifted their production to create high-performance RAM for AI data centers, rather than the standard DRAM used in consumer electronics (10).
The big three — Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix — are reportedly getting strict with chip orders to ensure the RAM being produced goes to the right end user (11).
Tom's Hardware reports that because AI tech giants are focused on getting as much RAM as they can for their AI buildout, they aren't as concerned about skyrocketing prices (12).
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So, why can't RAM manufacturers just make more RAM to meet the demand to cover both the AI build out race and the consumer product needs? Unfortunately, that would require setting up a new RAM manufacturing facility or memory production line (13). And that would take years.
Micron is building a factory in New York over the next 20-plus years (14) and Elon Musk has mentioned that Tesla should build its own RAM factories to ensure he has enough memory to build and grow (15).
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More expensive, poorer quality devices
The Atlantic warns that although Apple released its cheapest computer ever in March – the Mac Neo at $599 – most devices "will get more expensive, slower, and worse" (16).
Samsung's new Galaxy phones cost $100 more than the previous model. Android phones have worse cameras, less storage and slower processors, according to Yang Wang, an analyst at Counterpoint Research.
CNET reports that it could be years until we see price relief. At a Cisco conference in February, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said "there's no relief until 2028" (17).
If that's true, it would be wise to do your research and make your purchase as soon as possible. Even if you have to wait a few weeks longer than usual for delivery, the potential savings (if prices keep climbing) will make it worthwhile.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
CNET (1, 2, 10, 17); TechRadar (3); The Atlantic (4, 8, 15, 16); Wired (5); Lenovo (6); Northeastern University (7); Dwarkesh Patel (9); Tom's Hardware (11, 12, 13); Micron (14)
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Joanna Sinclair is an engagement editor for Moneywise. She holds a B.A. in Professional Writing from York University and has been working in digital media for nearly two decades.
