Citizens planning to buy a laptop or desktop in the coming days, may get a big surprise as its prices are set to increase in April. The prices that have already escalated by 30-40 per cent in the past few months, are likely to see further rise of 7-10 per cent in the new fiscal. The prices are expected to see a hike due to critical shortage of random-access memory (RAM) and memory chips in the domestic and international markets. Dinesh Naidu, President, Vidarbha Computer & Media Dealers Welfare Association (VCMDWA), said that the price will increase because of two main factors - skyrocketing RAM prices and a shortage of memory chips. RAM prices have already jumped 3 times, pushing laptop and desktop prices up by around 30 to 40 per cent in the past four months. Further rise of 7-10 per cent is expected in April. Naidu further said that all the major laptop manufacturers have already informed their authorised dealers about the price rise effective from April 1.

 

Naidu said, “The world is moving rapidly towards Artificial Intelligence (AI). Large technology companies are building massive data centres that require large amounts of memory, processors, and graphics cards. This has reduced supply for regular users and increased the prices.” Globally, only three companies including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and Micron Technology dominate the memory market. Together, they control nearly 95 per cent of the world’s RAM supply. Today, all three companies are shifting their production focus towards AI data centre memory, as a result, the supply of regular RAM has reduced for regular consumers and leading to higher prices. To make matters worse, chip factories cannot increase production quickly to meet the required demand. AI companies are willing to pay more, and thus the manufacturers give them priority, creating a shortage for consumers.

 

The ongoing US - Iran conflict is adding pressure on global supply chains. Rising oil prices are increasing both manufacturing and transportation costs. Additionally, key materials like helium, which are essential for semiconductor production, are facing supply risks, he added. “This situation may lead to reduced chip production and delays, causing further shortage and price increases in laptops and computer hardware, especially in countries like India that depend heavily on imports,” Naidu said. He suggested that the consumers can avoid buying laptops or PCs with unnecessary high specifications.