Tech Update

RAM and hardware prices continue to rise
amid new market shifts

  • Laptop, Managing IT Costs

We’ve all been hearing about the AI boom and the subsequent rise in RAM prices.

But what does this mean for your business today?

At the end of 2025, RAM pricing skyrocket by approximately 171.8%⁰ across Q3 and Q4 after rising continuously throughout the year. This forced major vendors such as Dell, Lenovo and HP to raise prices on client solutions. It was a challenging period for IT procurement; shipments were delayed, quotes expired quickly, and budgeting became nearly impossible. According to the research below, this trend is not expected to ease until at least 2027.

You can read about the origins of this trend in our previous blog released in January 2026 → https://officevision.co.uk/ram-hardware-price-increases-2026/

What’s happening now as we approach Q2?

And what new information do we have to support procurement decisions going forward?

The market squeeze on key computer components is persistent. Here is the latest research from industry analysts and news outlets:

  • Trendforce¹: On March 10, analysts reported that the price of mainstream notebooks could increase by 30% from surging RAM prices alone. For example, a notebook currently costing £675, could potentially rise to £875.  Furthermore,  CPU prices have also began to climb,  meaning the combined pressure of RAM and CPU costs could push laptop prices by up to 40-58% as we enter Q2.

  • IDC² : Researchers noted that memory prices will likely persist well into 2027. While they anticipate some price easing by 2028, the market is unlikely to return to 2025 levels. Instead, we are seeing a “new normal” defined by structurally higher average selling prices (ASPs).

  • Counterpoint Research: Analyst Min-sung Hwang noted that while RAM output from Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron³, is forecast to grow this year, these volumes won’t be meaningful until the second half of 2027. Consequently, consumers are unlikely to see improved supply or pricing until late next year.

  • Vendor News: HPE⁴ has warned of rising server and storage prices and anticipates higher prices to continue into 2027. Similarly, Fan Ho⁵ of Lenovo confirmed that memory costs are still increasing and supply remains tight across the entire industry. MSI⁶ General Manager Huang Jinqing informed investors on Mach 13 that the company plans to raise prices on gaming products by 15-30%. This is driven by shortages in DRAM and Nvidia GPU supply, compounded by massive AI infrastructure demand.

CPU prices also rising fast.

  • Intel has already raised prices on certain entry-level and older-generation notebook CPUs by more than 15%, with further increases planned for Q2 2026.

  • Intel and AMD⁷ are reporting spikes in CPU demand due to Agentic AI. Unlike the chat-based models we are used to, Agentic AI acts more like a “junior employee” – it can book meetings, analyse spreadsheets, manage IT tickets, and deploy code. These multi-step operations require significant CPU processing power, further straining global supply.

Impacts on Smartphones

The memory surge is also driving up the “Bill of Materials” (BOM) for mobile devices. Counterpoint⁸ analyst Shenghao Bai noted that in 2026, manufacturers will struggle to balance component costs with profit margins, particularly for entry-level models. The following chart from Counterpoint Research illustrates this structural shift:
Source: Counterpoint Research BOM Service, Counterpoint Research Memory Price Tracker

What organisations are doing bout it.

And how Officevision can help.

  • Early Planning: Identifying requirements months in advance to beat price hikes.
  • Stock Holding: Utilising our free-of-charge (FOC) stock holding to secure current pricing.
  • Flexible Finance: Implementing deferred payment schedules (up to 6 months) to manage cash flow.
At Officevision, we are committed to keeping our organisations informed. We know how much IT managers have on their plates, from managing cyber resilience to maintaining 24/7 operations, and we are here to identify cost-saving opportunities whenever possible.

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