Rising RAM costs are reshaping hardware planning. The average cost of consumer RAM has increased by over 240% as manufacturers shift production toward high-performance memory to satisfy AI demand, leaving everyday components in shorter supply. What used to be a predictable budget line for SMEs has turned into an unexpected pressure point. Routine refresh cycles, small fleet upgrades, and even incremental performance boosts now carry a premium that few smaller IT teams planned for. This squeeze forces SMEs to choose between paying elevated prices or delaying upgrades that support productivity and security. IT leaders must now plan procurement more carefully to stay ahead of costs, avoid supply pitfalls, and keep projects moving.
What Caused This Price Rise?
During the pandemic, remote work and learning pushed businesses to buy laptops, desktops, and servers in unprecedented numbers. This forced RAM manufacturers to ramp up production …