Supply Chain issues for RAM and hard Drives
Industry analysts are reporting growing shortages and extended lead times on RAM and hard drives, This is now affecting the wider availability of laptops, desktops, and servers. This means rising prices, inconsistent stock, and delays to planned upgrades or projects across the market.
What is causing this issue?
The clue is in the news, “Micron Technology”, who trade as Crucial, has been producing RAM and hard Drives for more than 30 years, announced on Wednesday, 3rd December, 2026 that it would stop selling its RAM in the consumer market.
Their reason is essentially that they have a much more profitable market. The AI-driven market. AI needs specialized RAM and lots of it. The AI boom has led to memory manufacturers switching their manufacturing processes to deliver this type of RAM as demand and value have been driven up.
“The AI-driven growth in the data center has led to a surge in demand for memory and storage,” Sumit Sadana, EVP and chief business officer at Micron Technology, said in a statement. “Micron has made the difficult decision to exit the Crucial consumer business in order to improve supply and support for our larger, strategic customers in faster-growing segments.”
It’s not just Micron Technology’s exit causing it. There are other factors impacting growth.
- Samsung have reported a 60% increase in charges on chips
- Other factors like Trump slapping 100% tariffs on Chinese manufacturers
- SanDisk also announced cost increases
What does this mean for small businesses?
Replacing Desktops, Laptops, Servers, tablets, mobiles, graphics cards are all going to be more expensive, as will consumer electronics.
Lenovo told Bloomberg that it is stockpiling DRAM and NAND components to supply all the machines it intends to manufacture by the end of 2026. We have heard similar media reports from other vendors through the media.
