Framework hikes RAM and storage costs once more
▼ Summary
– Framework is raising RAM and storage prices for the fourth consecutive month due to ongoing supplier shortages.
– DDR5 RAM now costs $13-$18 per GB, an increase from February’s $12-$16 per GB, partly due to selling out of older, cheaper inventory.
– The base configuration of the Framework Desktop now costs $1,269, up from $1,139 in January, and some pre-built Laptop 16 configurations are also more expensive.
– While the cost increase is smaller this month, Framework cannot yet determine if this indicates price stabilization.
– The company is also starting to see CPU shortages, specifically for the Intel Core i5-1334U processor used in the Framework Laptop 12.
For the fourth consecutive month, Framework has announced another round of price increases for RAM and storage modules in its modular computer systems. The company cites persistent supply chain shortages from its component suppliers as the primary driver behind these adjustments. This marks a continued upward trend in costs for consumers looking to configure or upgrade their Framework laptops and desktops. In a blog update, the company detailed that DDR5 memory will now range from $13 to $18 per gigabyte, a noticeable jump from the $12 to $16 per GB pricing seen just in February. Part of this shift is attributed to the depletion of older, more affordable inventory, which has also necessitated a re-evaluation of storage pricing across various capacities.
The ripple effects extend beyond individual components. The Framework Desktop system is experiencing its own price hike directly tied to these rising memory and storage costs. The entry-level configuration now starts at $1,269, a significant increase from its $1,139 price point at the beginning of the year. Furthermore, several pre-configured options for the Framework Laptop 16 have become more expensive, and the company has indicated that similar pricing revisions for its other pre-built models are on the horizon in the coming months.
While the latest cost adjustment is reportedly smaller than those in prior months, Framework stopped short of declaring a stabilization in the market. The company’s statement clarified that it remains uncertain whether this smaller increase signals a lasting trend. In a more concerning development for potential buyers, Framework also warned of emerging shortages for specific central processing units. Notably, the Intel Core i5-1334U chip used in the Framework Laptop 12 is beginning to face limited availability, which could impact production and lead times for that model.
(Source: The Verge)
