By Nick Gelling
Product Test Journalist | Kaipūrongo Whakamātautau Hautaonga
If you’ll need to replace a piece of tech over the next 12–18 months, consider buying that replacement now. A global shortage of memory, driven by AI, is driving up the prices of consumer devices fast!
The market price for some computer components has gone through the roof in the past 6 months. Most notably, RAM – a crucial component for making tech run quickly – can now cost 5 times what it did in 2025.
The shortage is now affecting major manufacturers too. Companies building laptops, phones and tablets – and even other computerised devices like TVs – are starting to pay more for components. And, unfortunately, they’ll pass on those costs to consumers.
If you need to replace a computer that’s about to die or a phone that’s no longer getting updates, now is the perfect time. If you leave it longer, you might regret it.
Products that stay affordable will have worse specs
Faced with ballooning costs, some manufacturers will choose to lower the quality of their 2026 models so they can maintain the same sticker prices.
For example, Apple announced its newest MacBook three weeks ago. The MacBook Neo has a maximum of 8GB of RAM – half as much as any other MacBook since 2018. It also uses the processor from the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro, rather than the type of processor found in every other Mac and in premium iPads. Starting at $1,149, it’s the cheapest MacBook ever. The Neo is en route to our test lab right now. We’ll let you know as soon as we can if it’s any good.
AI data centres are to blame
Companies building AI infrastructure anticipate increased demand for their services and are buying up almost all the RAM being produced globally. Unfortunately, that includes the supplies that would normally go into devices for consumers.
We’ve now entered a supply chain crunch that could last for years, while the tech industry prioritises AI over humans.
Eventually, RAM production will ramp up to meet demand, or the AI bubble will burst and free up RAM for the rest of us. But 2 of the 3 major RAM producers in the world – Micron and SK Hynix – do not believe pressure will ease until 2028.
You can still beat RAMageddon – but be quick
Products in stores right now were, for the most part, manufactured before the big crunch began. But 2026 models are beginning to arrive with major price bumps – and few improvements to show for them.
Act fast. Cheaper models manufactured before the crisis hit won’t stick around. Just watch out for stores taking the opportunity to sneakily raise prices on 2025 models as well. You might want to shop around.
Alternatively, if your devices are still working fine, take good care of them to make sure they last until at least 2028.
If you’re a member, we can help you pick out the best tech products to match your budget.
Top tech picks: the best laptops, phones and tablets to buy before prices rise
Wait! Don’t throw out your old tech
Even if you take this opportunity to buy a new computer or phone, it doesn’t mean you have to toss out the old one. Find out how to squeeze a bit more life out of it.
