It’s a Shortage (and AI Is Driving It)

If you’ve tried to buy a new laptop, upgrade a desktop, or even just price up a simple memory bump lately, you’ve probably had the same reaction I’ve had: why is this suddenly so expensive – and why is everything on backorder?

For 2026, the trend I’m watching closest isn’t a new brand of device or a flashy app. It’s something more fundamental:

We’re in a global squeeze on RAM and SSD storage, and the AI boom is a major reason why.

That might sound dramatic, but the effects are already showing up in the real world for everyday users:

• Laptops shipping with smaller SSDs than you’d expect with a only 8gb of memory,
• Upgrade options that feel wildly overpriced where its now better to buy new,
• We normally spec laptops and desktops with 16gb of memory, this may have to change to 8gb to keep pricing inline with expectations,
• and businesses stretching device lifecycles longer than planned because replacement costs jumped.

Let’s break down what’s going on, why AI is changing the hardware equation, and what I recommend doing about it.

Why RAM and SSDs Suddenly Matter More Than Ever

There are two components inside almost every modern device that quietly decide whether it feels fast or frustrating:

1) RAM (Memory)

Think of RAM like the size of your workbench.
More RAM = you can keep more things open and working smoothly at once.

2) SSD (Storage)

Think of your SSD like your filing cabinet – but also the “floor space” your computer needs to breathe.
More SSD space = you can store more data, and your computer has room for updates, caches, temporary files, and (increasingly) AI features.

For years, both were on a pretty predictable track: you could generally get more for less, year after year.

That pattern has now been broken.

What’s Actually Causing the RAM + SSD Squeeze?

A lot of people assume shortages are always caused by shipping issues or factory shutdowns. This one is different.

The simplest way I can explain it is:

AI has become a hardware industry, not just a software trend.

To run modern AI at scale – whether that’s training models, serving millions of requests, or running “AI copilots” inside products – data centres need enormous amounts of:

• high-end memory (RAM), and
• high-performance storage (SSD / flash storage).

Those data centres are buying at a scale that normal consumer markets can’t compete with. And when supply is tight, manufacturers naturally prioritise the biggest, most profitable customers.

So even if you never touch AI directly, the AI build-out is still affecting your next laptop price.

“Okay… but how does that impact me as an end user?”

Here’s what I’m seeing play out for everyday users and small-to-mid businesses.

1) You’ll see higher prices – and not just on high-end machines

When RAM and SSD pricing rises, it hits:

• entry-level laptops,
• business laptops,
• desktops,
• and even device repair/upgrade costs.

It also shows up indirectly as “value engineering,” like:

• devices shipping with 256GB SSDs instead of 512GB,
• or machines staying at 8GB RAM when the workload really wants 16GB+.

2) Availability gets weird

It’s not always a total “out of stock” situation. Sometimes it’s:

• one specific model is available, but only with low storage,
• the higher-RAM option is weeks away,
• or the price difference between 16GB and 32GB feels irrational.

That’s usually a supply allocation problem, not a retailer being difficult.

3) People keep devices longer – which increases friction

When replacement costs jump, people delay upgrades. That’s understandable.

But older devices often come with:

• slower performance under modern workloads,
• less headroom for OS updates,
• and (importantly) more security risk if they drift out of support.

The AI Factor: Why “Normal” Computers Need More RAM and SSD Now

There’s another part to this story that doesn’t get enough attention:

AI features are moving onto the device.

A year or two ago, most AI happened in the cloud. Now we’re seeing more of it run locally on PCs and phones, because it’s faster, cheaper (at scale), and sometimes better for privacy.

The catch is that on-device AI needs:

• more RAM, and
• more storage, because models, snapshots, indexes, and caches live locally.

The “AI PC” baseline is shifting expectations

As an example of how this is changing the market: to qualify for Microsoft’s Copilot+ category, the baseline includes 16GB RAM and 256GB storage — and that’s a minimum, not a recommendation.

Once you add:

• the OS,
• business apps,
• Teams,
• browser tabs,
• and background security tools,

…you can see why 16GB is quickly becoming the new starting point, not a luxury.

Storage gets eaten in ways people don’t notice

Even without AI, modern systems chew through storage via:

• OS updates,
• cloud sync caching,
• browser caches,
• app containers,
• and media (photos/videos).

Add AI features that store local data (even if it’s encrypted and protected), and small SSDs become painful fast.

Our recommendations

If you’re planning a purchase or refresh this year, here’s the advice I’m giving clients and friends.

For everyday users

• Don’t buy 8GB RAM unless you truly only browse + email.
  If you want your machine to feel good for 3–5 years, 16GB is the safer baseline.
• Avoid 256GB SSD if you keep photos, files, or use OneDrive/Google Drive heavily.
  512GB is the “less regret” choice for most people.
• If you do creative work, or CAD/design – or you keep lots of apps open:
  32GB RAM and 1TB SSD is the new sweet spot for a frustration-free experience.

For businesses (even small ones)

• Standardise your models and specs.
  The more random your fleet is, the harder it is to source replacements quickly. If Layer3 manages your procurement, we will suggest 2-3 models to models inline.
• Order earlier than you think you need to.
  Waiting until a laptop fails is how you end up paying spot prices or taking whatever spec is available. During vCIO/Account Manger engagements, we will identify these devices and devise a replacement plan.
• Keep one spare ready-to-go device for critical staff (management, finance, customer-facing roles).
• If you’re refreshing this year: build your budget with the assumption that component pricing is volatile.

The Big Takeaway

AI isn’t just changing apps – it’s currently changing the supply chain that underpins the tech industry.

The same AI boom that’s delivering smarter tools to end users is also driving demand for the hardware building blocks behind the scenes. That’s why RAM and SSD pricing and availability have become one of the most important quiet trends of 2026.

If you’re planning upgrades, refresh cycles, or even just trying to avoid buying the wrong device spec, this is the year to be deliberate.

And if you want a second opinion before you purchase (or you need a procurement plan that won’t fall over when supply gets tight), that’s exactly the sort of work we do at Layer3.