The memory shortage is driving up the cost of your next laptop (www.businessinsider.com)

The ongoing memory chip shortage, exacerbated by soaring demand from AI companies for DRAM and NAND chips used in large language models, is leading to significant price hikes for consumer electronics. Major manufacturers like Dell and HP are adjusting their prices, with increases ranging from $130 to $230 for devices with 32GB of memory. Smaller establishments are similarly affected, forcing them to alter pricing strategies or risk losing margins. The situation may worsen, as industry leaders predict no relief from the shortage until 2028, leading to potential delays in product launches and continued disruptions in supply chains. This shortage is particularly critical for the AI/ML community, as it highlights the intense competition for memory resources between consumer electronics and AI sectors. Companies such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron dominate the memory chip market, prioritizing AI firms that are willing to invest heavily in chip procurement. This not only drives prices up but also shifts production capabilities to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) that supports AI workloads. As demand continues to outstrip supply, consumers face higher costs and limited availability, with experts warning that the effects of this "RAMageddon" will be felt across the tech landscape for years to come.