Soaring RAM prices in 2026 may drive more users to switch to Apple
Skyrocketing RAM prices, driven by increased AI demand and US tariffs, could lead to a surge in Apple Mac sales in 2026, as Apple offers competitive pricing with its upgraded unified memory and upcoming budget MacBook. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
With the price of RAM (Random Access Memory) experiencing a massive rise this year, it could lead to a massive surge in Apple Mac sales in 2026.
The reason for this is linked to growing use of AI. AI requires more RAM, with budget PCs and laptops having 8GB RAM— and in rare cases even less.
It means the whole system slows down when using an app like Google Gemini or ChatGPT.
Hardware manufacturers have been quick to capitalise on this area, which is set to be in even greater demand in the future, and have radically increased the price of RAM.
Rising RAM Prices and US Tariffs Impact PC Market, Benefiting Apple’s 2026 Strategy
It’s also a case of many factories simply not being able to keep up with the demand.
It means that standard desktop/laptop memory is now much more expensive and difficult to source. Manufacturers might pass increased component costs onto consumers—leading to higher prices for PCs, laptops, and pre-built systems.
According to resellcalendar.com, RAM prices have risen by 171% in the third quarter of 2025 alone.
In the US, a 2×16 GB DDR5 kit had a median retail price of ~US$95.20 on September 1; by October 8, that kit was going for ~US$132.10.
The US tariffs, especially on China, have not helped matters either.
All this means is that it will play into Apple’s hands in 2026. When the M4 Air was introduced in March this year, it featured upgraded unified memory of 16GB up from 8GB. This was also at the same price as the M3 model the previous year.
Apple is also set to introduce a new, more budget MacBook in 2026 around the R13,000 mark— almost R10,000 less than the current M4 Air, which is the next cheapest new laptop.