RAM prices are out of control, but you can still buy a good laptop in 2026 – here's how

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

---

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• RAM prices have surged in recent months; some DDR5 kits now cost more than a PlayStation 5 Pro.
• This hurts students, power users, professionals, and gamers.
• I’ll break down the best ways to save money.

---

If you’ve been following PC hardware news over the past few months, you’ll know that RAM prices have climbed to absurd heights. According to PCPartPicker, the average price of a 2x 32GB DDR5-6000 kit reached nearly $800 in December 2025. For comparison, Sony’s PS5 Pro currently sells for $749. 

And the situation may get worse, with more potential price surges later this year and RAM prices rising another 50% in Q1 2026 alone.

Also: How much RAM does your PC really need in 2026? A Windows and Mac expert’s verdict

Needless to say, this is bad news for consumers. In a post on its official blog, Acer points to several factors driving these increases. The rise of AI is at the top of the list, referred to by Acer as “the single biggest driver behind the shortage.” There are also manufacturing challenges, growing hardware demands, and the ongoing decline in DDR4 RAM production.

Soaring prices don’t just affect PC enthusiasts, they’re reshaping the entire PC market. Industry analysts at TrendForce state that notebook shipments are shifting toward lower-tier 8GB models in order to stabilize supply chains. This means laptops that once shipped with 16GB of memory may soon opt for less. That’s bad news for anyone shopping for a new machine with high amounts of RAM this year. 

Also: 10+ useful Google Docs tricks that streamlined my workflow (no plug-ins required)

High RAM prices are expected to persist throughout the year, but although the situation is far from ideal, there are steps you can take to shop smarter. Here’s what I suggest: 

1. Buy a refurbished PC

One of the smartest moves you can make right now is buying a refurbished computer. Secondhand marketplaces are especially worth checking out if you want a PC or laptop that performs well without paying today’s inflated prices. 

BackMarket is one such platform, with excellent deals on laptops. A quick search turns up Lenovo ThinkPads for under $300, an M3 MacBook Air for around $693 (over $300 off its original price), and Chromebooks for less than $100.

Also: Tariff-proof tech? Back Market’s refurbished devices keep prices down

I would also recommend buying older laptops to save money, and it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a whole lot of power. Dell’s Inspiron 16 Plus 7630, released in mid-2023, is still a solid choice for everyday workloads. The newer Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 is also worth consideration, boasting a lightweight design, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a roomy 1TB SSD. 

If you want something more premium, the Acer Swift X 14 is a real stand-out with its sharp 3K OLED screen, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card.

2. Monitor seasonal sales

Take advantage of major sales events when they happen. It goes without saying that these promotions are a great opportunity to score a new computer, as laptops and PCs often see steep discounts that help offset inflated prices.

For example, last year, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale kicked off in late March 2025, and it should return around the same time later this year — although nothing has been confirmed yet. Of course, ZDNET will be tracking notable deals during these sale events, so keep an eye on coverage. 

Also: I thought 16-inch laptops were excessive for work travel, but this model is a big exception

If you want something right now, you can find solid discounts online. Acer’s Aspire 16 AI is a good option if you want a lightweight laptop, which is currently on sale for 20% off. For something more high-end, the Dell 14 Premium has dropped to around $1,220.

3. Target PCs with DDR4

Double Data Rate (DDR) memory refers to RAM that transfers data twice per clock cycle, improving overall speed and efficiency. Over the years, it has gone through multiple generations, with DDR5 being the latest. Because it’s the most recent version, DDR5 prices have exploded the most. 

TrendForce reports that the conventional DRAM contract prices are expected to rise by as much as 60% in Q1 2025, a jump that will directly impact DDR5 kits. You don’t have to look far to see the effects. On Newegg, a 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 kit currently costs around $440. The same kit sold for about $95 in August 2025, according to archived listings.

Also: How much RAM does your Linux PC actually need in 2026? An expert’s sweet spot

Give these increases, target systems that use DDR4 RAM, or buy DDR4 sticks yourself. While DDR5 is objectively better, offering higher speed, more bandwidth, and improved efficiency, DDR4 is far from obsolete. It can reach data rates of up to 5,100 MT/s (and even higher with overclocking). That’s more than enough for productivity tasks, office work, web browsing, and modern gaming.

To save you the trouble, I found some great deals online. At Best Buy, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 3 is on sale for $380. It is a low-cost laptop that’s perfect for work. For gaming, the Thermaltake LCFS Vista 460S desktop pairs an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, and 16GB of DDR5 memory, all for under $1,000. And Corsair’s Vengeance LPX 32GB DDR4 Kit is on sale at Best Buy for $210.

4. Buy RAM bundles

If you’re comfortable building or upgrading your own desktop, RAM bundles are one of the smartest ways to work around today’s inflated memory prices. These deals pair DDR5 RAM with a compatible motherboard, letting you lock in both components at a discounted combined price. 

You can find the bundles on Newegg. For example, a TeamGroup memory-and-motherboard combo is priced around $230. The RAM alone on Newegg retails for $250.

5. Switch to ChromeOS

Another smart option is to step outside the Windows ecosystem altogether and switch to ChromeOS.

Chromebooks aren’t powerhouse devices; they’re lightweight, affordable laptops built to deliver a smooth, reliable experience for everyday work and casual usage. ChromeOS relies heavily on Google’s web-based tools, such as Docs, Photos, and Drive, to operate. Since these apps run in the cloud, Chromebooks don’t need much RAM or storage to run well.

Also: 35+ best products we tested in 2025: Expert picks for phones, TVs, AI, and more

As a result, Chromebooks are generally less expensive than Windows machines. They also tend to offer excellent battery life, with many models lasting a full workday, sometimes more on a single charge. If you’re looking for a good recommendation, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is a great choice, offering responsive performance and an impressive battery life. 

For those with a tighter budget, check out Acer’s CX15 Chromebook. It features fast charging and a spacious 15.6-inch Full HD display.

6. Switch to Linux

Linux is another strong alternative to Windows. Many modern Linux distributions deliver a smooth, everyday computing experience while using fewer system resources than Windows 11. One of the biggest advantages of Linux is its efficiency. It doesn’t come bundled with all these extra features, built-in AI tools, or background services running simultaneously like Windows. 

Instead, you only install what you need. Users have full control over which apps start up, which services are active, and how updates are handled. That means fewer wasted resources and more performance available at any moment.

Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distro

Because it’s so lightweight, Linux can breathe new life into older hardware. A laptop that can’t run Windows 11 due to its strict hardware requirements could instead run a specific Linux distribution much more easily. 

There are plenty of Linux distributions to choose from. Ubuntu remains one of the most popular thanks to its user-friendly design and solid performance. ZDNET’s Jack Wallen has a helpful guide detailing how to try out Ubuntu through a virtual machine before installing it on your machine. 

Also, be sure to check out Q4OS if you want something beginner-friendly. Its Software Center has a layout similar to a Windows 11 app, making app installation easy to understand for Win 11 users.