Particle.news
Download on the App Store

AI-Fueled RAM Shortage Forces 8 GB Laptops, Higher Console Prices

Data-center demand from large language models is concentrating memory in AI infrastructure at the expense of consumer hardware.

Overview

  • Reports say several notebook makers have reverted to 8 GB of RAM as the base configuration to keep entry prices down.
  • LLMs such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and DeepSeek require vast memory for training, tuning and operation, intensifying competition for RAM.
  • High-end DDR5 kits have climbed to price levels comparable to top-tier Nvidia and AMD graphics cards.
  • Gamers face costlier PC builds, and Sony and Microsoft recently raised prices for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X as component costs rise; coverage also cites U.S. tariffs as added pressure.
  • Outlooks in the reporting expect the squeeze to persist, with some analyses suggesting next-gen consoles could be delayed to 2027–2028 or launch at higher prices if memory costs stay elevated.