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For most buyers in 2026, choose a laptop with 16GB of RAM, or 32GB for demanding work, and buy when you need the machine rather than trying to time an unpredictable memory market. An upgradeable model with SO-DIMM slots can reduce the total cost, but many thin laptops permanently solder their memory. Treat 8GB as a constrained option for light use or selected Chromebooks, not the normal specification for a primary Windows 11 computer.
What rising RAM prices mean for laptop buyers
Memory is taking a larger share of a laptop’s cost. TrendForce reported that notebook DRAM and NAND supply tightened from the start of 2026. In its model, memory and SSD costs rose from roughly 15% of a notebook’s bill of materials under normal conditions to more than 30% projected for the first quarter of 2026. TrendForce calculated that memory costs alone could require a retail increase of more than 30% on a $900 mainstream notebook; that is a modelled pressure, not a guaranteed shelf price for every configuration.
Gartner’s 2026 forecast is more severe over the full year: combined DRAM and SSD prices could rise 130% by the end of 2026, PC prices could be 17% higher than in 2025, and global PC shipments could fall 10.4%. Gartner also expects memory to represent 23% of total PC bill-of-materials cost, up from 16% in 2025. These are forecasts, so they describe risk rather than a promise that every laptop will rise by the same percentage.
| Indicator | Figure | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Notebook DRAM and NAND share | About 15% normally; more than 30% projected in 1Q26 | TrendForce’s notebook cost model; it does not mean every retailer doubled the laptop price. |
| Combined DRAM and SSD pricing | 130% possible increase by the end of 2026 | Gartner forecast for the combined components, not a guaranteed increase in RAM alone. |
| Overall PC pricing | 17% higher than 2025 | Gartner forecast across PCs, with large variation by vendor, configuration and inventory. |
| Global PC shipments | 10.4% decline | Gartner forecast; weaker volume can change promotions and availability as well as prices. |
| PC memory share of bill of materials | 23% in the forecast, versus 16% in 2025 | Gartner’s estimate of how much more significant memory costs become in the system. |
Why the increase is happening
MSI attributes the pressure to several forces arriving at once. AI data centers are absorbing large amounts of DRAM, while manufacturers are reallocating capacity from consumer DDR4 and DDR5 toward high-bandwidth memory used in AI accelerators. DDR5 adoption is also rising, and adding fabrication capacity takes years rather than weeks. The result is a market in which a laptop maker may be able to secure only a limited quantity of a particular memory type at a favorable price.
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Component inflation is not limited to RAM. TrendForce said Intel raised prices on some entry-level and older-generation notebook processors by more than 15%, with further increases planned for some platforms in the second quarter of 2026. A laptop’s final price therefore reflects the memory configuration, processor supply, SSD pricing, currency, retailer inventory and the manufacturer’s product mix.
Should you buy now or wait?
There is no dependable date on which laptop memory prices are known to fall. Buy now if your current laptop is failing, its battery or keyboard makes it unreliable, or it cannot run the applications you need. Waiting is reasonable when the existing machine works well and you can tolerate price and availability risk, but do not assume that a delayed purchase will be cheaper.
| Your situation | Practical choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Current laptop is failing or unsafe to rely on | Buy a suitable configuration now | Downtime and an emergency purchase can cost more than a carefully compared purchase today. |
| Current laptop meets your workload | Wait only with a defined budget and review date | Forecasts do not guarantee a near-term decline; set a point at which you will buy rather than waiting indefinitely. |
| You need 32GB but prices are high | Compare a 16GB upgradeable model with a 32GB soldered model | A later SO-DIMM upgrade may lower total cost, provided the service guide supports it. |
| You need a basic Chromebook | Consider 8GB if the exact workload is light | HP identifies 8GB as a minimum for basic Chromebook use, not as the normal Windows 11 recommendation. |
Inventory can move in both directions. In a September 8, 2026 update, Framework said it obtained a limited quantity of Micron 32GB and 64GB LPCAMM2 modules at lower cost, reduced prices for some pre-orders and refunded eligible shipped orders. The same update said that depleted lower-cost DDR5 inventory forced price increases on some pre-built configurations. That example shows why a sale, a particular memory module and a specific configuration can matter more than a broad market headline.
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How much RAM do you need in 2026?
For most Windows buyers, 16GB is the practical baseline. HP’s 2026 guidance calls 16GB the sweet spot for everyday use, students, remote work and casual gaming. It describes 32GB for enthusiast gaming, video editing and AI PC workloads. HP also states: “For a primary Windows 11 computer in 2026, 8 GB of RAM is generally not enough for a seamless experience.”
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| RAM capacity | Good fit | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 8GB | Basic Chromebook use, light browsing, email and a tightly controlled low-cost setup | Constrained for multitasking; generally not enough for a primary Windows 11 computer according to HP’s 2026 guidance. Prefer upgradeable memory if you choose it. |
| 16GB | Windows productivity, schoolwork, video calls, office applications, web research and casual gaming | The sensible starting point for most buyers. Check whether it is soldered before assuming you can expand later. |
| 32GB | Enthusiast gaming, large creative projects, video editing, virtual machines and local AI tools | Worth paying for when those workloads are real; unnecessary capacity can take money away from the CPU, graphics, SSD or display. |
Match capacity to the way you work
Count the applications you keep open, not just the application you launch first. A student who uses a browser, documents, video calls and occasional photo editing normally fits the 16GB tier. A creator handling large timelines, an enthusiast gamer streaming while playing, or a developer running virtual machines has a stronger case for 32GB. If an AI tool runs locally, check its own memory requirement and leave headroom for the operating system and other applications.
Capacity is only one part of performance. HP notes that memory speed works together with capacity, and that a balanced system with fast RAM and an NVMe SSD can outperform a mismatched machine with more memory but slower supporting hardware. Compare the processor, graphics, cooling, storage, display, battery and warranty instead of treating a larger RAM number as a complete performance guarantee.
Understand soldered memory, SO-DIMM slots and LPCAMM2
Thin-and-light laptops commonly use LPDDR memory soldered permanently to the motherboard. It saves space and can support efficient designs, but it cannot be replaced after purchase. A laptop with one or more SO-DIMM slots uses removable memory modules; a later upgrade is possible only when the model’s service guide allows it and the replacement matches the supported specification. Gaming laptops and mobile workstations are more likely to retain physical slots, but that is a tendency, not a rule.
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|---|---|---|
| Soldered LPDDR5 | No; the memory is attached to the motherboard | Buy the capacity you will need for the laptop’s entire service life. |
| DDR4 or DDR5 SO-DIMM | Often, if slots and a supported maximum are present | Generation, slot count, maximum capacity, supported speed and whether a slot is already occupied. |
| LPCAMM2 | Model-dependent; the module is removable in designs that provide access | Exact module type, capacity options, availability and the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions. |
Never infer upgradeability from a product family name or a retailer headline. Check the exact model number, regional configuration and official maintenance or service guide. Two laptops that look identical can have different memory arrangements, and a listing that says “16GB” may describe either a replaceable module or soldered memory.
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Calculate the real cost instead of comparing base prices
Compare the price of the configuration you will actually use: laptop, required memory, shipping or taxes, and any necessary storage upgrade. A low base price is not a saving if the machine has soldered 8GB, a proprietary module or no supported path to the capacity you need.
Tom’s Guide gives an illustrative 2026 example: a $500–$600 laptop plus $80–$120 of do-it-yourself RAM can be cheaper than the manufacturer’s higher-memory “pro” configuration. That produces a rough $580–$720 combined hardware cost before tax, but the figures are an example rather than a guaranteed current price. Tony Polanco of Tom’s Guide described this route as “almost always cheaper”; treat that as guidance for comparing a particular pair of configurations, not a universal saving.
- Write down the capacity your workload requires: 16GB or 32GB for most Windows choices.
- Find the exact laptop model and confirm whether the memory is soldered, SO-DIMM or LPCAMM2.
- Price the laptop at the capacity you need, then price a compatible module or kit if an upgrade is supported.
- Add delivery, tax and any tool or service cost. Do not count on an upgrade if the required module is proprietary or unavailable.
- Compare the finished totals with refurbished and open-box alternatives that have a documented service path.
Refurbished or open-box business laptops such as Lenovo ThinkPad and Dell Latitude models can be useful candidates because many support 32GB or more of aftermarket DDR4 or DDR5 memory. Inspect the exact model, condition, battery health policy, warranty and memory specification; the brand or product family alone is not proof that a particular unit is upgradeable.
Use a complete comparison framework
RAM prices make it tempting to optimize one line in a specification sheet. A better comparison keeps the whole laptop usable for the years you expect to own it.
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| Comparison axis | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Total delivered cost | What will the configuration I need cost after memory, storage, tax and delivery? |
| RAM capacity and type | Is it 8GB, 16GB or 32GB? Is it LPDDR, SO-DIMM or LPCAMM2? |
| Upgrade path | How many slots exist, what is the maximum supported capacity and is one slot occupied? |
| CPU and graphics | Will the processor and GPU handle the applications and games, or is extra RAM masking a weak platform? |
| SSD | Is the drive NVMe, replaceable and large enough for the workload? |
| Cooling and sustained performance | Can the chassis dissipate heat during long exports, builds or gaming sessions? |
| Battery, display and keyboard | Do battery life, brightness, resolution, ports and input quality fit daily use? |
| Warranty and repairability | Does opening the chassis affect coverage, and are service instructions and parts available? |
| Condition | For new, refurbished or open-box units, what testing, return period and battery guarantees apply? |
A step-by-step buying process
- Describe your workload. List the applications, browser tabs, games, creative projects, virtual machines and local AI tools you will run together. Separate normal use from occasional tasks.
- Set the RAM target. Use 16GB as the normal Windows starting point, 32GB for genuinely demanding workloads, and 8GB only when the light-use trade-off is deliberate.
- Choose a platform that will not bottleneck the workload. Check CPU class, graphics capability, cooling and NVMe storage alongside memory. Do not spend the entire budget on RAM while accepting an unsuitable processor or display.
- Shortlist both fixed and upgradeable designs. Include soldered laptops when the factory capacity is sufficient, and SO-DIMM or LPCAMM2 models when a staged purchase could reduce cost.
- Verify the exact service specification. Download the manufacturer’s maintenance guide for the precise model and region. Confirm memory generation, module type, slot count, maximum capacity, supported speed and access procedure.
- Calculate the finished price. Add the compatible RAM kit, tax, delivery and any service cost. Compare that total with a factory 32GB configuration and with a refurbished or open-box alternative.
- Check ownership details. Read warranty terms, return windows, battery coverage and whether opening the chassis is permitted. A theoretical upgrade is not useful if it voids coverage or parts cannot be sourced.
- Recheck inventory before payment. Memory and processor availability can change quickly. Confirm that the advertised capacity and model number are still the ones in the cart, not a substituted configuration.
How to verify and perform a RAM upgrade
Before buying the module
- Match DDR4 with DDR4 or DDR5 with DDR5; generations are not interchangeable.
- Confirm SO-DIMM versus LPCAMM2 and the laptop’s supported speed. Do not assume a physically similar module is electrically compatible.
- Check the maximum supported capacity and whether the laptop has one slot, two slots or a mixture of soldered and removable memory.
- Find out whether a slot is already occupied and whether the service guide requires replacing an existing module.
- Read the warranty and repair instructions. Some manufacturers permit user service; others attach conditions to chassis opening.
Installation sequence for a supported SO-DIMM design
- Shut down completely, disconnect the charger and follow the service guide’s instructions for removing the bottom cover.
- Work on a clean, static-safe surface. Avoid touching the module’s gold contacts.
- Release the retaining clips, remove the old module only if the guide says it must be replaced, and align the notch on the new SO-DIMM with the slot.
- Insert the module at the specified angle, then press it down until the clips lock. Do not force it; resistance usually indicates a mismatch or incorrect orientation.
- Reassemble the cover, reconnect power and start the laptop. Confirm the new capacity in the firmware setup or operating-system system information before restoring your normal workload.
- If the laptop fails to start, power it off and reseat the module. If the problem persists, reinstall the original module and recheck the model’s supported capacity and speed rather than repeatedly forcing a boot.
Soldered LPDDR memory cannot be upgraded with a retail RAM kit. If you need more capacity, the practical choices are buying the correct factory configuration, replacing the laptop later or moving to a model with a documented removable-memory path.
Common buying mistakes and how to avoid them
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Buying 8GB for a primary Windows 11 machine solely to hit a price target | Multitasking headroom is limited, and the memory may be permanently soldered. | Start at 16GB or choose a clearly upgradeable design with a realistic upgrade budget. |
| Assuming every 16GB laptop can be expanded | Thin models often solder LPDDR memory. | Read the exact service guide before purchase. |
| Mixing up DDR4, DDR5 and LPCAMM2 | Different generations and module formats are not interchangeable. | Match the manufacturer’s specification exactly. |
| Comparing base-model prices only | The cheaper model may require an expensive factory memory tier or unavailable proprietary module. | Compare delivered cost at the capacity you will actually use. |
| Overbuying RAM while underspending on the platform | A larger memory number cannot compensate for an unsuitable CPU, GPU, cooling or display. | Balance RAM with the whole workload and expected ownership period. |
| Ignoring refurbished condition | Battery wear, missing parts or a short return window can erase the apparent saving. | Verify testing, battery policy, warranty and return terms. |
| Waiting without a trigger date | Prices and inventory can move in either direction, leaving you with fewer choices. | Set a budget, shortlist acceptable models and choose a purchase date. |
What the 2026 forecasts mean for the budget end of the market
Gartner analyst Ranjit Atwal called the projected decline “the steepest contraction in device shipments witnessed in over a decade” and forecast that “the sub-$500 entry-level PC segment will disappear by 2028.” Those statements describe Gartner’s outlook, not a certainty that every sub-$500 laptop will vanish or that a particular retailer will stop discounting. They do indicate why the cheapest configurations are especially exposed to memory and processor-cost changes.
For a buyer, the practical response is to compare value over the laptop’s service life. A slightly higher initial price for 16GB, a replaceable memory design or a better-supported refurbished business model may be cheaper than replacing an 8GB soldered machine when your workload grows. Conversely, paying for 32GB that you will never use can be poor value when the same money would buy a stronger processor, larger SSD, better screen or longer warranty.
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Student or office worker
Choose a 16GB Windows laptop with a competent processor, NVMe SSD, comfortable keyboard and reliable battery. If two models are otherwise similar, favor the one with documented SO-DIMM support when its upgrade cost is reasonable, but do not sacrifice screen quality or warranty for a theoretical future expansion.
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Target 32GB and compare graphics performance, cooling and SSD capacity before paying a premium for a thinner chassis. A model with removable DDR5 memory can let you start at 16GB only when the manufacturer clearly documents a supported 32GB upgrade and the total price remains lower.
Light Chromebook user
Eight gigabytes can be an appropriate minimum for basic Chromebook use, as HP’s 2026 table indicates. Keep expectations narrow: extensive browser multitasking, demanding Android or Linux applications and future workload growth can justify 16GB if the price difference is acceptable.
Owner of a working laptop
Keep the current machine if it still meets your workload and its battery and keyboard are dependable. Use the time to identify the exact replacement model, service guide and target price, then buy when the combination of availability and total cost is acceptable rather than trying to predict the next memory-market turn.
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Memory inflation makes configuration details more important, not less. Buy when you have a real need, start at 16GB for ordinary Windows use, move to 32GB for demanding workloads, and treat 8GB as a deliberately limited choice. The best hedge against rising RAM prices is a laptop whose total cost you have calculated at the capacity you need and whose memory can be replaced when the service guide explicitly supports that path. Because forecasts and inventory can change quickly, compare complete configurations and warranty terms instead of chasing a headline percentage or the lowest base-model price.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
