In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the way we work. Tasks that used to take hours can now be completed in a short period of time. Editing text, creating posters, editing photos and videos have all become faster and easier with the help of AI.
Where once complex software like Adobe Photoshop was a must, today web-based platforms like Canva have taken over most of these functions. Users no longer have to pay expensive subscription fees for professional software. With ready-made templates and the help of AI, visual work can be completed by anyone, even without high technical skills.
Increased efficiency, reduced software costs seem like a win-win situation. However, behind this convenience, there is another reality that users are increasingly feeling, the cost of computer hardware is increasing, especially involving RAM chips and graphics cards.
When AI Becomes Daily Routine, 8GB Is No Longer Enough
The way humans use computers has changed. Today, we can open multiple Chrome browser tabs, run work software, use AI assistants, and communicate through other applications at the same time. In this situation, RAM is the component that gets tired the fastest.
While 8GB of RAM used to be enough for most users, many are now realizing that their computers feel slow, sluggish, and unresponsive. The solution is almost as simple as upgrading RAM, usually to 16GB or more.
The problem is, as more users start upgrading, demand for RAM skyrockets worldwide, and that’s where the real pressure begins.
AI technology doesn’t just run on personal computers or smartphones. Behind the scenes, it’s powered by large-scale data centers that require high-performance processors and massive RAM capacities to process massive amounts of data.
Technology companies and cloud service providers buy RAM in large quantities, competing directly with the consumer market. When supply becomes limited, prices skyrocket; a fundamental law of economics.
Price Increases to Be Forced in 2026
According to TrendForce, global memory prices are expected to rise significantly again in the first quarter of 2026, putting significant pressure on device manufacturers around the world. Manufacturers are forced to raise prices to cover the increasingly expensive chip costs or reduce the specifications of your device.
For budget smartphones, TrendForce expects that base models will likely return to using 4GB of RAM in 2026, a step back from today's standard. For laptops, RAM is difficult to reduce due to operating system requirements and processor matching, causing high costs to be passed on directly to consumers.
At the same time, global device shipment forecasts have also been lowered, with the market increasingly concentrated in just a few large brands. Hopes for RAM prices to return to the cheapness of the pre-AI era are very slim due to the demand for AI technology that will continue to grow.
The advancement of AI does make work faster, cheaper and more efficient from a software perspective. However, to support this progress, the hardware behind the scenes is becoming increasingly expensive and the result is borne by consumers at home. Consumers are now faced with a dilemma between the need for technology and the ability to upgrade devices that support AI technology.
