All articles tagged with #ramageddon
Google’s Shakil Barkat signaled that the Pixel 11 lineup will cost more than the Pixel 10 due to RAM shortages tied to AI data-center expansion, with pricing to be adjusted dynamically; rumors peg the base Pixel 11 at $899 with 256GB of storage and suggest the Pixel 11 Pro could drop RAM from 16GB to 12GB, ahead of an August 12 launch.
RAMageddon is driving extreme price spikes for RAM and other components, pushing retro-gaming maker Evercade to hoard stock and pre-purchase parts years in advance. Blaze Entertainment has secured most cartridge chips for 2027 and is watching RAM and processor costs soar, with 512MB chips now pricier than 1GB ones. The broader supply chain is in chaos as AI-driven data-center demand tightens supplies, a situation CEO Andrew Byatt calls vastly worse and unprecedented.
The Verge’s review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch (8GB RAM, 2026) finds Windows 11 has almost no headroom on 8GB of RAM, with typical multitasking using about 5–7GB and occasional freezes, making the $949.99 model feel underpowered versus 16GB rivals like the MacBook Neo. The piece notes RAM shortages are driving price hikes (RAMageddon) and that more 8GB laptops are surfacing, so for future-proofing you should favor 16GB (or higher-spec/refurbished options) rather than this entry-level configuration.
Nvidia was nearly bankrupt in the mid-1990s until Sega’s Shoichiro Irimajiri invested $5 million, a gamble that kept Nvidia afloat and helped it develop the GeForce line and later support for Microsoft’s Xbox; now, Nvidia’s AI-driven chip demand is fueling RAM shortages and price spikes that ripple through consoles and PCs, reshaping the gaming landscape.
Even after Prime Day ended, Mashable lists still-live memory deals to combat RAMageddon: the best MicroSD is Samsung T7 MicroSDXC 1TB for $239.99 and the best portable SSD is SanDisk Portable SSD 2TB for $232.99, with a range of WD, Seagate, Kingston, and Samsung drives—from 5TB portable HDDs to 20TB desktop HDDs and up to 4TB NVMe SSDs—still discounted as prices and availability vary.
Tim Cook argues price increases are unavoidable due to AI-driven RAM shortages, with upcoming MacBook Pro, iPad, and HomePod price bumps cited. The Verge explains memory-chip prices have surged because AI data centers are diverting supply from consumer devices, meaning higher costs are passed to consumers and the AI race is boosting chip profits for memory makers. Analysts say this RAMageddon is lasting, not temporary, and companies are prioritizing data-center demand over ordinary buyers. Despite four straight quarters of record earnings and high hardware margins, Apple’s price hikes are framed as satisfying shareholders’ growth expectations while the company grapples with AI competition.
The Vergecast discusses reports that Meta is building a Polymarket-style prediction market inside Meta, along with Apple price hikes and RAM shortages, while noting Meta’s morale issues and Cannes Lions coverage.
Nothing says its CMF Phone 2 Pro successor won’t launch this year because memory prices have surged, making a meaningful upgrade unaffordable; memory costs have doubled since the decision and are now the most expensive smartphone component, though CMF plans other products and hints the smartphone season isn’t over.
Microsoft says RAM shortages and rising memory costs are forcing a rethink of its next-gen Project Helix console, with leaders signaling “radically different” and more affordable business models. The company is exploring options such as subsidized hardware through subscriptions, broader partnerships, and even third-party Xbox devices, while pursuing flexible storage, potential ad-supported options, and ongoing evolution toward a hybrid console/PC approach to broaden access beyond a premium, high-end model.
Dell’s new five-pound Alienware 15 is marketed as an entry-level gaming laptop, but The Verge argues it’s a branding and value misstep: a plastic chassis, a low-color-saturation 1920x1200 display, limited I/O, and last-gen RTX options priced from $1,299, all set against RAM price hikes nicknamed RAMageddon, raising questions about whether Alienware still signals premium performance or just a Dell badge.
Sony is raising PS5 prices for the second time in under a year, with the Digital Edition at $600, standard at $650, and Pro at $900, effective April 2. Sony cites global economic pressures and higher RAM/storage costs (the so-called RAMageddon) to protect margins, raising concerns that consumers—especially cheaper- or mobile-focused players—will be squeezed and that hardware costs may stay high through 2027–2030. Analysts say other makers (Switch 2, Xbox) could follow, while GTA 6 remains a major driver but may not offset the higher costs for buyers.
Intel says its laptop OEM partners are holding about 9–12 months of memory inventory, creating a buffer that could blunt near-term RAM price hikes. The long memory lead times push vendors to stockpile ahead of future releases, while Intel also cites Core Ultra Series 3 memory enhancements (larger L3 cache and new memory-management tools) that may reduce RAM demand. It’s not a full fix for RAMageddon, but it offers several months of relief for buyers and manufacturers.