'Someone asked me today how long the DRAM supply shortage would last...I may need to revise that answer': analyst predicts bleak future for RAM crisis

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Memory production may not catch up

Four RAM stacks
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As AI companies consume ever more RAM and memory, the knock-on effects mean companies across the tech world are, or will, struggle to get RAM for their devices.

Up until now, it's been predicted that the shortages could last through 2028. That year came from interviews with the CEOs of Micron and SK Hynix, two of the largest RAM manufacturers.

According to him, new data seems to reveal that AI infrastructure investment is "expanding rapidly" while DRAM production capacity will only grow at a low "annual rate of just 4.8%" through 2030.

"What's more, even this incremental capacity will be concentrated on HBM, meaning supply for legacy and special-purpose DRAM will be even more constrained," Choi added.

"DRAM being in short supply may become the new normal."

What this could mean

For many companies, you may not see an immediate effect in 2026. Many manufacturers, such as Dell and Asus, have been hoarding memory in anticipation of this problem, but that stockpile will eventually run out.

Even Apple is expecting the RAM crisis to have "more of an impact." Samsung's internal mobile division has reportedly been unable to secure favorable contracts from the Samsung RAM division.

Companies are scrambling for solutions. Acer's EMEA Marketing Director, Manuel Linning, told Tom's Guide that the company is looking into "multiple smaller vendors" of RAM chips to bypass the big three providers.

The problem is that Samsung Electronics, SK Hynic and Micron currently control 95% of the market. This means Acer is looking to tiny Chinese memory providers like CXMT and YMTC to help keep laptop prices lower.

In a shocking move, HP is considering renting laptops to get around the RAM crisis. You would end up overpaying for the laptop over time and never actually get a chance to own it.

RAMageddon is actively reshaping the consumer landscape, and prices may not go down anytime soon.

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Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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