In 2026, the humble RAM—once a mere afterthought in your creative toolkit—has taken centre stage. The global shortage of this essential memory component is pushing up the price of laptops, phones and tablets, from high-end to budget models.

Analysts predict prices could rise by as much as 50% before stabilising, meaning creatives will have to splurge more on their tech. Higher-memory devices for serious photo and video work are seeing the steepest increases, while entry-level gadgets may revert to lower specifications.

The shift in focus towards artificial intelligence has left laptop manufacturers scrambling. As key suppliers like Samsung and SK Hynix prioritize AI over consumer electronics, the supply of RAM intended for your next upgrade is drying up. This isn't just a temporary blip; analysts expect prices to remain high until 2030 at best.

For creatives used to upgrading their gear every couple of years, this is a stark reversal. The era of more-powerful and cheaper computers may be coming to an end, replaced by a world where the cost of creativity steadily climbs.