Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly.

Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly.

      RAM prices are soaring, and your finances are likely to feel the impact.

      If you've been postponing the purchase of a new laptop or desktop, it might be time to rethink your decision. Prices are projected to increase by as much as 35 percent this year, and the chance to buy at a fair price is diminishing rapidly.

      What's causing the increase? Surging RAM prices and a shortage of entry-level Intel processors. RAM costs have already risen by 2.5 to 3 times, leading to a 10 to 12 percent increase in prices for laptops and desktops. An additional 8 to 10 percent rise is anticipated in March, with another 10 percent increase likely in the following months.

      Compounding this issue is the current turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz, which is driving up crude oil prices, resulting in significant hikes in energy and transportation costs as well.

      What is behind the price hikes?

      A significant part of the problem is artificial intelligence. The growing demand for AI infrastructure is redirecting memory supplies toward high-margin server components, resulting in reduced availability for regular PCs and laptops. This shift is pushing up the global costs of DRAM and NAND memory, which will ultimately be reflected in your bills.

      TrendForce reports that memory components, which previously accounted for 15% of a laptop's total production cost, are now expected to exceed 30% by early 2026, effectively doubling their share of manufacturing expenses.

      Analysts from IDC and Counterpoint Research predict that prices will not stabilize until the latter half of 2027. Due to rising component and transportation costs, analysts expect shipments to decline by 7 to 8 percent in 2026, as the increased prices begin to deter purchases.

      Is it a good idea to buy a laptop or PC now?

      Brands are attempting to cushion the impact with financing options and promotional deals, but analysts caution that these efforts may not adequately offset the increasing costs. Both small and large businesses are already speeding up their upgrade cycles to avoid the RAM surcharge.

      If you require a new PC, the short answer is yes. With the introduction of the MacBook Neo, Apple's first budget-friendly MacBook, along with PC manufacturers offering discounts to remain competitive in light of fluctuating RAM prices, it’s an opportune moment to make a purchase. Buy now, or brace yourself for higher prices later.

      Rachit is an experienced tech journalist with more than seven years of experience reporting on the consumer technology sector.

      Google is preparing the Gemini AI app for Mac with Desktop Intelligence.

      The upcoming app may allow Gemini to interact directly with Mac applications for enhanced personalized responses.

      Google is enhancing its AI offerings on desktop with a newly tested Gemini app specifically for Mac, which could introduce a significant feature called Desktop Intelligence. A Bloomberg report indicates that Google is currently conducting private tests of an early version of the Gemini Mac app with selected users. This effort is part of a larger initiative to compete more directly with desktop AI applications like ChatGPT and Claude, which already provide native experiences for Mac users.

      The current app version is still in its early stages and doesn’t contain all intended features, but testing indicates that Google is targeting a near-term launch. For the time being, Mac users primarily access Gemini via the web, so a dedicated app could greatly enhance the user experience.

      This startup will pay you $800 a day to act as an AI bully.

      Here’s your chance to turn your frustrations with chatbots into actual income.

      If you've ever shouted at an AI chatbot for forgetting something you just told it, you might be pleased to know that you're now job-ready. A startup named Memvid is offering $800 for just one day of work where your sole responsibility is to hassle AI. Yes, professionally.

      The position is as unpredictable as it sounds. You'll spend eight hours interacting with chatbots, asking them to remember information, observing their failures, and asking questions again. Your task is to document every frustrating interaction and every detail or context that the AI fails to recall.

      Microsoft PowerToys update introduces three key enhancements for your Windows PC.

      PowerToys 0.98 has arrived with an improved Keyboard Manager, a new pinnable Command Palette Dock, and a more dependable CursorWrap for users with multiple monitors.

      Microsoft has launched PowerToys v0.98.0, a significant update to the widely-used Windows productivity toolkit. This new version brings a revamped Keyboard Manager, a new Command Palette Dock, and a notably enhanced CursorWrap experience for those working with multiple monitors.

Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly. Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly. Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly. Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly. Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly. Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly.

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Analysts forecast a severe drop in laptop prices, so you should hold onto your wallet tightly.

Prices for laptops and desktops are projected to increase by as much as 35 percent this year, with no expected relief until the latter half of 2027. If you intend to purchase a new PC, now is the ideal time to do so.