Global memory and storage prices are surging as major manufacturers prioritize high-bandwidth memory for AI datacenters, leading to significant cost increases for consumer PCs, laptops, and gaming consoles.

Key Points

• Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron control 90% of the DRAM market and have shifted production capacity toward high-profit AI hardware.
• Gartner reports that DRAM and SSD prices could surge by 130% by the end of 2026, potentially raising overall PC prices by 17%.
• Micron has secured long-term contracts for most of its DRAM supply through 2030, signaling that the current supply crisis will likely persist for years.
• Analysts predict a 10.4% to 11.3% decline in global PC shipments for 2026 as rising costs price out entry-level consumers.
• New fabrication plants, such as Micron’s facility in Idaho, are not expected to provide significant consumer supply relief until at least late 2027.

Why it Matters

The shift in manufacturing priorities suggests that the era of affordable consumer electronics may be permanently altered as companies prioritize high-margin enterprise AI clients. Even if component costs eventually stabilize, historical trends indicate that manufacturers may maintain higher price baselines, potentially eliminating the budget-friendly PC market entirely.