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Laptop computer reminiscence configurations could change drastically beginning subsequent yr. In keeping with a number of reviews, it feels like we are going to probably start seeing extra laptops hitting the market that supply 8GB of RAM as an alternative of 16GB or increased. The change is being pushed by ongoing DRAM shortages brought on by rising demand for AI, with some producers even noting that they plan to make use of much less reminiscence of their mid-range fashions to assist management the prices of these machines.
Dell and Lenovo are simply two of the reported manufacturers meant to be reducing again on providing increased reminiscence quantities of their lower-cost computer systems, and whereas no actual numbers have been given but, most consider that upgraded laptops with 16GB or extra of RAM will enhance in worth. Even smartphone prices will rise due to the shortages brought on by the demand for extra AI.
TrendForce means that the continued surge in reminiscence costs will proceed by a minimum of the primary quarter of 2026, mirroring the upper costs we noticed on another technical parts in the course of the chip scarcity that adopted 2020. The estimates state that these costs will spike sharply in 2026, so it might develop into even more durable to discover a good mid-range laptop computer with sufficient reminiscence to deal with your day by day duties.
8GB of RAM is not loads nowadays
Whereas 8GB of RAM was the bottom customary for laptops a couple of years in the past, as expertise has developed and purposes have expanded — to not point out all the brand new AI options that many gadgets include — they’ve begun to require extra reminiscence to run adequately. Even customary browsers like Google Chrome can eat by giant quantities of RAM, which makes 8GB of reminiscence a small pool to drag from for the vital assets your laptop must function easily.
There have typically been arguments previously that 8GB of RAM is not nearly enough for computers nowadays, with some firms like Apple even transferring to offer 16GB of RAM as the standard for its lower-end MacBook Airs simply previously yr or two. Whereas increased reminiscence tiers had been beforehand out there as an add-on, the late-2024 and 2025 variations of Apple’s laptops provided them as the bottom quantity to assist gasoline intensive day by day duties that chew by the reminiscence.
Whereas we haven’t any actual thought precisely how excessive the costs for RAM may prolong because the scarcity continues, it is vitally probably that you will see an exponential enhance in costs when taking a look at entry-level laptops with 8GB of RAM, and mid- to high-range choices that supply 16GB or extra.
