The tech industry is currently grappling with a significant challenge: memory shortages. This situation is expected to impact laptop manufacturers greatly, with 8GB memory configurations becoming more widespread as companies strive to manage the constraints.
Memory Supply Constraints Lead to Price Hikes
Manufacturers are now contending with DRAM shortages by adjusting product prices to maintain inventory and profitability. It’s reported that companies like Dell have implemented price increases that reach ‘hundreds of dollars’. This trend suggests that laptops with higher memory capacities will see even steeper price hikes. According to TrendForce, the mid-range notebook market, which represents the largest segment, will increasingly feature the ‘8 GB RAM’ specification to ensure a stable supply chain.
Laptop Market Adjustments and Long-Term Outlook
The notebook market is undergoing a shift towards 8GB configurations as manufacturers adjust for the long-term. TrendForce forecasts aggressive price changes moving into the second quarter of 2026. Companies like Lenovo, which previously relied on vast DRAM inventories to keep prices stable, now face the necessity of implementing more significant price increases.
The Future of Memory in PCs and Laptops
In 2025, Microsoft set a 16GB RAM baseline for its Copilot-certified PCs, but the landscape is changing. Reports suggest developers might need to optimize applications for better memory efficiency, as increasing onboard RAM could become more difficult. **Currently, companies like Dell are charging up to $550 for a memory upgrade from 16GB to 32GB of LPDDR5X, aligning their upgrade pricing closer to Apple’s.** As 2026 approaches, it will be crucial for the PC market to adopt significant changes to meet these supply chain challenges.
It will be fascinating to observe how these developments play out in 2026, as the PC industry faces pressure to innovate and adapt to these evolving circumstances.