Asus May Make DDR5 RAM to Lower Laptop Prices
▼ Summary
– Asus, along with other brands, plans to raise laptop prices due to a critical DDR4 and DDR5 memory shortage caused by major suppliers shifting focus to AI data centers.
– A report suggested Asus might begin manufacturing its own DRAM by 2026 to challenge major suppliers and help control costs for its laptops and components.
– However, Asus has officially refuted this rumor, stating it has no current intention of investing in RAM production lines.
– Even if Asus pursued production, it would face significant challenges, likely requiring help from major manufacturers or facing obstacles like those limiting Chinese alternative CMXT.
– Consumers hope for relief from high memory prices and shortages, which some industry predictions suggest could last until 2028.
The ongoing global shortage of DDR5 memory is putting significant pressure on laptop manufacturers, with rising component costs threatening to drive consumer prices to new heights. In a bold move that could reshape the market, Asus is reportedly considering entering the DRAM manufacturing business itself by 2026. This strategic pivot aims to secure a stable supply of memory and combat the price inflation that is currently squeezing the entire PC industry. While Asus has officially refuted these plans, industry analysts note that such denials are common in the early stages of major corporate strategy, leaving the door open for a potential market disruption.
Major memory producers like Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix have increasingly shifted their focus and production capacity toward serving the booming demand from AI data centers. This strategic reallocation has created a critical shortage of DDR4 and DDR5 RAM for consumer electronics, sending prices soaring. For a hardware giant like Asus, this means facing difficult choices: either pass these steep costs directly to customers or find an alternative solution to stabilize its supply chain. Producing its own memory modules could be that solution, potentially benefiting its entire product lineup from popular gaming laptops like the ROG Zephyrus G16 to desktops and individual components.
The rumor originated from a report by Sakhtafzarmag, a Persian IT publication with a credible track record for accurate tech industry predictions. However, significant hurdles remain. Establishing DRAM production is a monumental task requiring immense capital and technical expertise. Even if Asus proceeds, it would likely need to collaborate with or license technology from existing industry leaders, which could limit the potential cost-saving advantages. Skeptics argue that building a competitive fabrication plant from the ground up by 2026 is an exceptionally ambitious timeline.
One potential pathway for Asus could involve a partnership with a Chinese manufacturer like CMXT, which has recently unveiled its own LPDDR5X and DDR5 RAM products. Such an alliance could provide a crucial alternative to the dominant “big three” memory suppliers. Yet, CMXT faces its own substantial challenges, including production scalability issues and navigating strict international trade regulations on semiconductor manufacturing equipment. These constraints currently prevent it from producing the vast quantities needed to influence the global market meaningfully.
For consumers and PC builders, the hope is that new market entrants will increase competition and eventually lower prices. There is a palpable fear that the memory shortage could persist for years, a timeline supported by predictions from SK Hynix. The concern remains that even if Asus succeeds in producing its own RAM, it might opt to sell it at high margins rather than using it solely to undercut the market and reduce final product costs. The ultimate impact on laptop prices hinges on whether such a move is driven by a desire for greater self-sufficiency and market competition or simply another avenue for profit. The industry will be watching closely for any confirmation that could signal relief from the current memory crunch.
(Source: NotebookCheck)
