If you’ve looked at the cost of a new laptop, desktop, or server recently and thought, “Hand on… wasn’t this cheaper a few months ago?” – you’re not imagining it.
One of the biggest reasons prices are increasing is RAM (computer memory). RAM is a core component in almost every device your business uses. And right now, it’s getting more expensive and harder to secure.
This blog explains what’s happening in plain English, why it matters, and what you can do to avoid getting caught out.
RAM is the “short-term memory” inside a device. It helps your computer handle multiple tasks at once – like having Outlook, Teams, a browser with 20 tabs, and Excel all open without grinding to a halt.
Most business laptops and desktops rely on RAM for day-to-day performance. Servers rely on it even more.
So when the cost of RAM goes up, it can affect the price of:
There are a few reasons, but the biggest one is this:
The growth of AI isn’t just about graphics cards and fancy software that can write an email for you. The huge systems that run AI need massive amounts of memory across data centres – and the biggest tech organisations are buying and reserving components far in advance.
When large buyers “lock in” supply for the future, there’s simply less available for everyone else, which pushes prices up.
RAM isn’t something you can ramp up overnight. It takes time to increase production, and the factories that make memory chips are already running at enormous scale.
So when demand jumps suddenly (like it has with AI), the supply chain can struggle to keep up.
Even if you’re not buying AI equipment, the knock-on effect is that everyday business kit can become:
In normal times, you can plan a refresh, get a quote, and assume the price won’t change much.
Right now, it’s different.
And importantly, this doesn’t just affect day-to-day performance. It changes what you might choose to buy:
Here are a few practical ways to stay in control:
If a laptop is already failing, you lose options – and you’re more likely to pay a premium. If you know a refresh is coming in the next 3-6 months, even roughly, it’s worth planning earlier.
A simple approach is:
This stops your budget being swallowed by less important spending.
Trying to cut costs by underspecc’ing RAM can backfire. A laptop that feels fine now can feel painfully slow in 12-18 months – especially with modern workloads. If you’re buying new devices, it’s often better to buy the right spec once than upgrade later (particularly when prices and availability are unpredictable).
Because pricing is moving faster than usual, we’ve changed the way we handle quotes to ensure our customers are always getting the best value and the spec they need, without compromise:
[general external facing video from Jon]
RAM price increases might sound like a niche tech issue, but they can affect the cost and timing of everyday IT purchases – especially laptops, smart phones and servers.
The best way to protect your budget is to:
If you’ve got equipment replacements coming up, even if it’s just a rough plan, it’s worth getting ahead of it – because right now, timing matters.