PC Prices Set to Jump 8% Next Year Thanks to RAM Shortage
IDC says memory shortages could push PC prices up 8% in 2026. Some builders already shipping systems without RAM.
Scout Team
Okay so I saw this deal and had to share... except it's not a deal at all. IDC just dropped some pretty sobering news about PC prices, and honestly? It's gonna hurt your wallet.
The research firm is predicting PC prices could jump up to 8% in 2026, and here's why that stings - we're already seeing system builders pull some wild moves. Some vendors are literally shipping pre-builts without RAM installed. Yeah, you read that right. Buy a computer, add your own memory. It's like selling a car without tires at this point.
IDC also thinks the overall PC market could shrink by almost 9% if this memory shortage keeps going. And from what I'm seeing in the trenches, it's already started. DDR5 prices have been creeping up for months now, and good luck finding high-capacity kits at reasonable prices. Remember when we complained about GPU shortages? This feels eerily similar.
What really gets me is the timing. We're heading into 2026 with AI PCs needing more RAM than ever, and suddenly there's not enough to go around. If you're thinking about upgrading, my advice? Don't wait. Grab what you need now before things get worse. Because paying 8% more for a system that might not even include RAM? That's a hard pass from me.
The silver lining? At least we can still find GPUs without selling a kidney. But man, just when PC building was getting fun again, here comes another shortage to ruin the party.