Published on August 1, 2026 · The mitza.es team
If you've checked prices for computers, laptops or components in the last few months, you've probably noticed that RAM and SSDs now cost noticeably more than a year ago. It's not a perception issue — it's a real supply crisis hitting the entire sector, from game consoles to office equipment.
Why prices have risen so sharply
The main driver is massive demand from AI-focused data centers. The major memory manufacturers (Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron) are now allocating a huge share of production — around 70% by industry estimates — to serving these data centers instead of the consumer and business market.
The result is a shortage of DRAM and NAND chips for everyone else. PC memory contract prices in the first quarter of 2026 rose more than 100% quarter-over-quarter, with increases of between 105% and 110% for DDR4 and DDR5 modules. Compared with late 2024, some components now cost up to 90% more.
How long this could last
There's no good news in the short term. Industry executives, including Micron's CEO, have said supply constraints will likely persist beyond 2026, with some estimates stretching to 2027 or 2028 before production catches up with real demand.
What this means for an SME or freelancer
- Replacing equipment right now can cost significantly more than your annual budget expected.
- Upgrading RAM or swapping in an SSD on existing machines has also gotten more expensive.
- Delivery times for some components have stretched out because of the shortage itself.
- Maintaining and optimizing what you already have can be more cost-effective for a while than replacing it.
What you can do in the meantime
You don't always need new hardware to fix a performance problem. Removing unnecessary software, reviewing processes that eat up resources, and applying preventive maintenance can extend the useful life of your current equipment until the market stabilizes. If you're planning to replace or expand your IT fleet, it pays to plan ahead with margin and clear priorities, rather than deciding in a rush once a machine has already failed. Our IT maintenance service is built exactly for that: reducing incidents and stretching the performance of what you already own.