The global surge in artificial intelligence has triggered an unexpected crisis in the consumer electronics market, a phenomenon industry experts are calling "RAMaggedon." As chip manufacturers pivot their production lines to prioritize high-bandwidth memory (HBM)—the sophisticated components essential for powering AI training and data centers—the supply of standard random-access memory (RAM) has dwindled. This shift has led to sharp price hikes for laptops, smartphones, and custom PC parts, with Samsung Electronics warning that these supply constraints could persist well into 2028.

For small business owners like those in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai Computer Centre, the impact is stark. Many shops are now forced to display explanatory articles to help confused customers navigate why basic components have quintupled in price. Consumers are increasingly opting to repair older machines rather than buy new ones, while custom PC builders are finding it nearly impossible to maintain affordable service models. Ultimately, as the industry chases the massive profits fueled by the AI speculative bubble, ordinary users are left bearing the cost of shorter product lifespans and soaring hardware expenses.