Schenker lifts laptop prices as DDR5 SO-DIMM costs climb sixfold
XMG and Schenker say DDR5 SO-DIMM prices have increased sixfold since July 2025 and warn that memory supply will remain tight through 2027 and beyond. The company raised prices on most gaming laptops by €100 to €200, with one professional model up €300. It also pointed to rising costs for PCBs, CPUs, GPUs, video memory, and freight/insurance linked to Middle East conflict.
XMG and Schenker attribute the increase to DDR5 SO-DIMM module costs that have multiplied six times since July 2025. The laptop maker also cites higher expenses for circuit boards, processors, graphics chips, video memory, and solid-state drives, alongside elevated air and sea freight and insurance tied to Middle East conflict.
The company says its own margins have not changed, so retail adjustments reflect upstream costs, and it promises to lower prices if inputs fall. Industry forecasts differ: Micron's CEO expects DRAM tightness into 2027, while Asus's CEO predicts relief later that year as Chinese output grows and demand cools.
Higher laptop memory and component costs could push gaming and professional notebook prices upward, affecting students, creators, gamers, and small businesses that depend on portable computing. If shortages persist, buyers may delay upgrades or choose lower-spec machines, potentially slowing demand and widening access gaps. Manufacturers might absorb some costs, redesign products, or pass them on, while consumers could see less memory or storage at a given price point. That may influence how quickly advanced computing tools spread across education and smaller firms.