Laptop Prices 2026: RAM Shortage & Buying Guide

THE 2028 REALITY CHECK: WHY YOUR NEXT LAPTOP UPGRADE WILL COST MORE

If you have been holding off on buying a new laptop in hopes that prices will return to the more reasonable levels of a few years ago, I have some sobering news for you: you are likely going to be waiting until at least 2028. We are currently stuck in the middle of a massive global RAM squeeze, and unlike previous tech shortages that resolved in a few months, this one is tied to a fundamental shift in how computers are built and used.

As someone who tracks hardware cycles for a living, I can tell you that the market we are seeing today in early 2026 is unlike anything we have experienced in the last decade. It is not just a matter of supply chain hiccups anymore. We are facing a structural shortage driven by the insatiable hunger of Artificial Intelligence. If you are planning to buy a machine for yourself or as a gift this year, you need a new strategy.

THE AI TAX: WHY MEMORY BECAME THE NEW GOLD

To understand why a mid-range laptop now costs two hundred dollars more than it did two years ago, you have to look at the data centers. The same manufacturers that make the RAM for your laptop—companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron—are currently pivoting their production lines to satisfy the massive demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM).

This high-end memory is the lifeblood of AI servers. Because the profit margins on AI-grade components are significantly higher than the margins on consumer-grade DDR5 RAM, the "regular" laptop market is getting the leftovers. We are seeing a classic supply-and-demand crunch: production is being diverted to the enterprise sector, leaving the consumer market with a shortage that experts predict won't stabilize for another two years.

In 2023, you could easily find a solid 16GB laptop for around seven hundred dollars. Today, in 2026, that same configuration is frequently pushing past the nine-hundred-dollar mark. This is the "AI Tax" in action, and it is hitting the portable PC market hardest of all.

THE 16GB SWEET SPOT: WHY 8GB IS A TRAP IN 2026

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in the current market is trying to save money by opting for a 8GB RAM configuration. While it might look like a bargain on the sticker, 8GB is effectively the new 4GB.

Modern operating systems, web browsers like Chrome that can eat several gigabytes just with a few tabs open, and background AI processes now baked into Windows and macOS mean that an 8GB machine is essentially "pre-obsolete." If you give someone an 8GB laptop as a gift today, you are giving them a device that will likely feel sluggish and frustrated within eighteen months.

The current sweet spot for value and longevity is 16GB. It provides enough overhead for multitasking, light video editing, and the increasingly heavy demands of modern software. If you are doing professional creative work or heavy gaming, 32GB is the new standard. In a market where prices are high, it is tempting to skimp, but buying a 16GB machine now is actually a better long-term financial decision than buying an 8GB machine that you will have to replace twice as fast.

TO SOLDER OR NOT TO SOLDER: THE HIDDEN COST OF DESIGN

Because RAM is so expensive right now, your choice of laptop brand matters more than ever. Many manufacturers have moved toward "soldered" RAM, meaning the memory chips are permanently welded to the motherboard. If you buy a laptop with 8GB of soldered RAM, you can never upgrade it. When you need more speed, you have to throw the whole computer away and buy a new one.

If you want to beat the RAM squeeze, you should look at laptops that still offer user-upgradeable memory slots. This allows you to buy a machine with a lower amount of RAM now and add more yourself later when prices (hopefully) dip or your budget allows.

The Upgradeable Heroes: If repairability and longevity are your priorities, the Framework Laptop 13 and 16 are the gold standard. They are designed to be opened and upgraded by the user. Similarly, business-class machines like the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (specifically the Gen 5 and Gen 6 models) and certain Dell Latitude 5000 series laptops still maintain slots for RAM upgrades.

The Soldered Crowd: On the other side of the fence, the entire Apple MacBook line—including the MacBook Air and Pro—uses unified memory that is completely non-upgradeable. The same goes for the Dell XPS 13 and many ultra-thin Microsoft Surface devices. With these machines, you are locked into whatever RAM you choose at the time of purchase. If you are buying one of these, you must bite the bullet and pay for 16GB upfront, even if the price hurts.

SMART SHOPPING STRATEGIES FOR GIFT-GIVERS

If you are shopping for a student or a professional and the prices are making your eyes water, there are three paths you can take to get the most value for your dollar in this tight market.

First, embrace the high-end refurbished market. Brands like Apple, Dell, and HP have official refurbished stores where machines are inspected, cleaned, and sold with full warranties. A refurbished 16GB model from 2024 is almost always a better purchase than a brand-new 8GB model from 2026.

Second, prioritize the processor and storage speed. If you absolutely cannot afford a high-RAM machine, ensure you are getting a fast NVMe SSD. A fast storage drive can help mitigate some of the "swapping" that occurs when a computer runs out of RAM, making the system feel slightly snappier than it actually is.

Third, consider the "Modular Gift" approach. If you are buying for a tech-savvy person, consider getting them an upgradeable laptop like a Framework or a ThinkPad with the base amount of RAM, and tell them that a memory upgrade kit is their "next year" gift. It spreads the cost out and ensures the machine stays relevant.

THE VERDICT: BUY NOW OR WAIT?

The question everyone asks is: Should I just wait for prices to drop?

My verdict is this: If your current laptop is functional and meeting your needs, wait. We are at a pricing peak, and while relief is not coming in 2026 or 2027, the market should eventually correct as production capacity for HBM and DDR5 catches up to the AI boom.

However, if your computer is failing or you are a student heading into a critical year, do not wait for 2028. Tech is a tool, and a tool that does not work is costing you productivity. If you must buy now, follow the 16GB rule, look for upgradeable models from Lenovo or Framework to hedge your bets, and avoid the 8GB entry-level "deals" that are currently flooding the big-box retailers.

This RAM squeeze is a marathon, not a sprint. By being strategic about memory capacity and choosing hardware that allows for future growth, you can navigate these high prices without getting stuck with a piece of tech that is obsolete before it is even out of the box.