Crisis Deepens as Buying Laptops and PCs Now Demands This Much Money
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The global memory crisis is beginning to show serious impacts on the PC industry. Market research firm Gartner warns that entry-level PCs priced below US$500 (about Rp 8.5 million) could disappear from the market by 2028.
A few years ago, cheap desktop or gaming laptops could still be bought during annual discount seasons. Although relying on integrated graphics (iGPU) or older-generation components, these devices were enough for basic needs and light gaming.
But now the situation has changed. A surge in RAM prices and other memory components has caused the cost structure of PC production to rise sharply. In its latest report, Gartner says memory costs will account for 23% of total bill of materials (BOM) costs in 2026, up significantly from 16% in 2025.
“Memory cost surges are projected to push global PC shipments down 10.4% in 2026,” Gartner wrote in its report, cited by PCGamer, Thursday (5/3/2026).
Gartner analyst Atrwal emphasised that the rise will make vendors struggle to absorb the higher costs. The sharp rise erodes vendors’ ability to absorb the cost burden, making entry-level laptops with thin margins unviable.
He added that ultimately the entry-level PC segment under US$500 is expected to disappear by 2028.
The impact is not felt only by gamers. For years, non-gaming PCs without discrete GPUs remained an affordable option for students, home workers, and families who only needed a device for light productivity.
At the end of the report, Gartner also warned vendors. It said that memory price increases will hit the PC market hardest and alter market dynamics.
Vendors are advised to prepare for a decline in sales volume to preserve profitability, rather than sacrificing margins just to chase price-sensitive buyers.
In other words, vendors are not advised to absorb the cost increases. Sales may fall, but that is considered healthier than cutting profit margins.
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