Framework’s DIY PCs Face Monthly Price Hikes Amid RAM Shortage
▼ Summary
– AI-driven memory and storage price hikes have defined the PC industry in 2026, disproportionately impacting hobbyists and smaller companies like Valve and Raspberry Pi.
– Framework, known for its repairable computers, has been severely affected, ceasing standalone RAM sales in late 2025 and implementing monthly system price increases.
– The price surges impact both upgradeable SODIMM modules and soldered LPDDR5X memory, with Framework pricing RAM close to its increased supplier costs.
– For example, an 8GB RAM stick for a Framework Laptop 13 rose from $40 to $130, and a 96GB DDR5 kit jumped from $480 to $1,340 between September and the present.
– Framework Desktop and DIY laptop editions now cost 6-16% more, with a 32GB system starting at $1,209 and a 128GB model at $2,599, representing increases of $110 and $600 respectively.
The PC industry in 2026 is grappling with significant price volatility, primarily driven by artificial intelligence-driven demand for memory and storage components. This market pressure creates a challenging environment for smaller manufacturers and individual consumers, as large corporations with substantial purchasing leverage can better absorb or mitigate these cost increases. For companies operating on a smaller scale, however, the financial impact is immediate and severe, leading to frequent price adjustments for end users.
Framework, known for its modular and repairable laptop and desktop designs, exemplifies this struggle. The company ceased sales of individual RAM modules in late 2025 and has implemented monthly price increases across its product lineup ever since. The latest adjustments have notably impacted the Framework Desktop and the DIY editions of its laptops, making the build-your-own approach more expensive for enthusiasts.
These cost hikes affect all memory types Framework utilizes, including standard SODIMM modules and the soldered LPDDR5X memory in the Desktop systems. Company statements indicate that pricing for standalone RAM sticks is aligned as closely as possible with the average cost from suppliers, reflecting the brutal reality of the spot market. To illustrate the dramatic shift, an 8GB RAM stick that cost $40 with a Laptop 13 in September now carries a price tag of $130. A high-capacity 96GB DDR5 kit has skyrocketed from $480 to a staggering $1,340 over the same period.
For complete systems with integrated memory, the increases range from six to sixteen percent, with a clear trend: higher memory configurations incur larger absolute price jumps. The entry-level Framework Desktop with 32GB of RAM now starts at $1,209, representing a $110 increase since its introduction. The premium model configured with 128GB of memory has a starting price of $2,599, which is $600 more than its launch price. This ongoing financial pressure underscores the vulnerability of the DIY and right-to-repair segments to global component shortages and demand spikes, challenging the value proposition of modular, user-upgradable hardware.
(Source: Ars Technica)
