The RAM shortage’s silver lining: Less talk about “AI PCs”

The RAM shortage's silver lining: Less talk about "AI PCs"

A global shortage of RAM and flash memory chips has had a peculiar effect on the computer industry. As prices skyrocket, it appears that consumers are no longer buying into the hype surrounding "AI PCs". In fact, many manufacturers have already begun to scale back their efforts in this area.

Last year's AI boom led to an increased demand for data centers, fueling the shortage of RAM and flash memory chips. The resulting price hikes were inevitable, but it seems that consumers have been less than enthused about the prospect of "AI PCs", a term that OEMs have used to try and drive sales.

According to research firm Omdia, main stream PC memory and storage costs rose by 40-70 percent in 2025, resulting in cost increases being passed through to customers. However, analysts expect PC sales to be more tumultuous in 2026, with vendors prioritizing mid-range and premium systems to offset higher component costs.

As the shortage persists beyond 2026, it may take a while for RAM to become readily available again, which could impact the viability of AI PCs as a viable option. With prices still high and demand lacking, some brands have already started to shift their focus away from "AI PCs" and instead emphasize other features like build quality, battery life, and display quality.

Even Microsoft seems to be taking a step back on its AI PC ambitions, with CEO Satya Nadella reportedly expressing disappointment with the consumer version of Copilot. The company has delegated some of his responsibilities to spend more time on Copilot, suggesting that they may be reevaluating their approach.

While the idea of "AI PCs" isn't inherently bad, it's clear that manufacturers have been exploiting this technology to drive sales without providing a tangible solution for consumers. With the RAM shortage, there's an opportunity for PC companies to focus on delivering actual value rather than relying on hype.

the whole "AI PC" thing was just a way for manufacturers to make their products sound more advanced . but in reality, it's just another excuse to charge more money for something that doesn't really change the user experience . with the RAM shortage, i think its good that consumers are starting to see through the hype and expect actual value from their purchases . maybe now manufacturers will focus on building better, more reliable products rather than relying on fancy tech that just raises prices

I gotta say tho, its kinda refreshing that ppl arent jumping on the "AI PC" bandwagon like they used 2 b Like, dont get me wrong, AI is cool n all but does it really need to be marketed as a must-have feature? Its like when u see those fancy smartphones with "advanced camera tech" and u r like, mmmm yeah sure... I'll just stick w/ my basic phone lol

I'm loving how the AI PC hype has died down . I mean, who needs a super powerful computer just for playing games or crunching numbers when you can have a decent display and battery life ? It's about time manufacturers shifted their focus away from making empty promises and towards actually delivering value to us consumers . Microsoft should've taken this as an opportunity to improve Copilot instead of getting all disappointed . The whole "AI PC" thing just felt like a marketing gimmick to me, and now that the RAM shortage has taken its toll, I think it's time for them to prioritize what really matters - making computers that people actually want to buy

I'm surprised AI PCs aren't more of a thing anymore . I mean, I get that prices are crazy high and people aren't buying into it as much. But still, it feels like manufacturers were just trying to make a quick buck off the hype train . Now that things have cooled down, maybe we'll see some actual innovation happen in the PC world .

I'm glad Microsoft is taking a step back from their AI PC ambitions tho . I don't think Copilot is as game-changing as everyone thought it was gonna be either . It's just not something that's gonna make my laptop magically smarter or anything .

It feels like the RAM shortage has given us a chance to take a step back and rethink what we want in a PC. Not just about having all the bells and whistles, but actually being able to use it for things that matter . Like, can I really make video edits on this thing? Can I play games without lagging out?

I'm curious to see how this whole thing plays out . Maybe we'll get some real innovation as a result of all this .

OMG, I told u! The AI PC thing was just a marketing gimmick from the start... everyone was jumping on the bandwagon without thinking about the real issues. Now that RAM is all scarce and prices are through the roof, people are finally seeing through the hype. It's like, yeah, it's cool to have fancy AI stuff, but what about actual performance? And don't even get me started on Microsoft's Copilot... seems like they're just trying to push their own agenda . I mean, what's next? Are we gonna see a shortage of RAM for our smart homes too? It's all about the Benjamins, am I right?

I dunno about all this AI PC hype... I mean, it's cool and all that but let's be real, who really needs a PC just for playing games with AI? I'm more worried about the price tags getting out of control and affecting those of us who just wanna get some work done or watch YouTube vids on our lunch break. At least if they focus on other features like battery life or display quality, that's something we can actually get excited about! It's good to see Microsoft taking a step back and rethinking their approach. Maybe it's time for them (and the rest of us) to focus on what really matters: making PCs that are usable and affordable for everyone.

I think its pretty cool that people are finally realizing AI PCs weren't as great as everyone made them out to be , and now vendors can actually start focusing on making decent PCs instead of just slapping some fancy tech on the side and calling it a day . The fact that Microsoft is reevaluating their approach is also super interesting, I mean if even Satya Nadella is feeling meh about Copilot , then maybe its time for PC manufacturers to take a step back and think about what they're really selling here .

I'm not gonna lie though, the prices of RAM and memory have gotten ridiculous , and it's definitely affecting people's purchasing decisions. I mean who can afford a new PC with 16GB of RAM when you can get a decent gaming laptop for half the price ? It just goes to show that consumers are finally waking up and realizing they don't need all this fancy tech to have a good time .

It would be awesome if PC manufacturers could focus on delivering some actual value instead of just trying to keep up with the latest trends . Maybe we'll see more mid-range systems and better build quality, or who knows maybe we'll even get some innovation in terms of battery life and display tech . Fingers crossed !

I mean, can you blame people for being skeptical about AI PCs when prices are through the roof ? It's like manufacturers are just cashing in on the trend without really delivering anything meaningful. I feel like we're getting a bit of a silver lining from this RAM shortage - maybe it'll make PC companies focus more on what really matters: making awesome hardware that people actually want to buy . And yeah, Microsoft seems to be taking a step back too... I'm not sure what's going on with Copilot ... do you think we'll ever see some actual AI-powered features in mainstream PCs?

I feel you, man... all this AI PC hype was just getting me hyped and then BAM! prices start skyrocketing and nobody wants them anymore it's like, I get it, tech is expensive, but come on, can't we just have a decent gaming laptop without breaking the bank? at least now maybe some companies will focus on what really matters: build quality, battery life, and display quality... not just AI stuff that's supposed to make our lives easier but honestly feels like more marketing than actual tech

I'm not surprised about this at all . I mean, have you tried buying a new laptop lately? Forget about it! The prices are through the roof and the specs are just okay. I've been saying this for ages: AI PCs were just a marketing gimmick to get people to buy more stuff they don't need . My kid's gaming PC has way better performance than any "AI-powered" laptop, and all that extra cash just ended up being a fancy sticker on the box . Maybe now we'll see some real innovation happen instead of just trying to make a quick buck .

I'm loving how the RAM shortage is killing the "AI PC" hype . It's like, I get it, tech companies are trying to sell more stuff and make a buck, but come on, let's not forget what consumers really want - decent hardware that doesn't break the bank . With prices going through the roof, people are starting to think twice about shelling out for some fancy-schmancy "AI PC" .

I'm glad Microsoft is taking a step back from their AI PC ambitions - I mean, Copilot is cool and all, but it's not enough to justify a whole new line of PCs . And honestly, I think the industry should focus on delivering actual value instead of relying on hype . Like, who needs 12GB of RAM when you can have a solid build quality and a decent display? . The RAM shortage is like a wake-up call for PC companies to get their priorities straight .

I think its good news that people are finally starting to see AI PCs for what they are - just another marketing gimmick. I mean, how many of us really need a super powerful computer to do our everyday stuff? It's about time PC manufacturers focus on making machines that actually make life easier, not just more expensive.

I gotta say, the AI PC thing was getting outta hand . Like, I get it, tech has to move forward, but at what cost? The prices were getting crazy and nobody really knew if it was worth it for most people . And now that the RAM shortage is causing a slowdown in AI PC sales, maybe we can finally see some real innovation happen instead of just trying to make a quick buck . It's time for manufacturers to focus on what really matters: making reliable, affordable PCs that people want to buy . I'm not saying AI isn't cool or anything, but if you're gonna use it, make sure it's actually usable by regular folks, not just tech elites .

I'm glad to see the AI PC talk is dying down . I mean, I get it, the prices have gotten out of control and people are just not biting . It's like, yeah, AI this and that, but can you make me a decent laptop for less than $1000?

I'm loving how Microsoft is reevaluating their approach . Copilot needs to be more than just a fancy word for "AI" . Give me something practical that I can use every day, not some gimmicky feature that's going to break after a few months.

And yeah, let's be real, PC manufacturers have been all about the hype . "AI PCs" this and that... meanwhile, the actual tech is still pretty basic . It's time for them to focus on what really matters: making me a good laptop that doesn't break the bank .

The RAM shortage is definitely having an impact . I mean, it's not like manufacturers didn't know this was coming... but hey, at least now they have to get real about priorities . Mid-range and premium systems are where it's at, I'm rooting for that

I think its pretty interesting how the RAM shortage is kinda putting the brakes on the whole AI PC thing. I mean, people just aren't buying into it like they were last year . And honestly, who can blame them? The prices are pretty insane right now!

It's funny that Microsoft is still all about Copilot, but they're rethinking their strategy . I think its great that they're looking at how to make it more useful for consumers rather than just pushing a sales gimmick. Maybe we'll see some actual innovation come out of this instead of just hype .

I'm kinda excited to see what happens next. With the shortage lasting a bit longer, maybe PC companies will focus on making their systems better overall, not just touting AI features . That would be a step in the right direction, imo !

I feel like we're due for a change in how PC brands approach their marketing strategy . The AI PC hype was just that - hype. It's been more about flashy tech sales than actual user experience. With the prices skyrocketing, I'm glad to see some manufacturers scaling back on these claims. Maybe now they'll focus on delivering better build quality, battery life, and display quality instead of just throwing around buzzwords like "AI PC"

I've seen this before with new tech trends - people get excited, but when it comes time to buy, they just don't wanna shell out that extra cash. It's like when my grandkids were all about those fancy smartwatches last year ... now they're more interested in something they can actually use, like a good old gaming console . Maybe the shortage is giving PC manufacturers a chance to refocus on what really matters - building decent machines that people will actually want to own .