The RAMageddon crisis is intensifying as International Data Corporation slashes its 2026 PC market forecast, projecting an 11.6 percent decline in global shipments. This represents a significant worsening from the previous 8.9 percent decline projection, with memory shortages now expected to persist through 2027. The forecast was made before recent Middle East conflicts that could further disrupt the computing sector.

Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC, warns that while prices might ease by 2028, the market won't return to 2025 levels. Major tech companies including HP, Samsung, Valve, and Framework have already raised prices due to surging memory costs. HP reports RAM now accounts for over a third of PC production costs, forcing price increases across the industry.

The crisis reflects broader supply chain disruptions affecting the entire tech sector. With no immediate relief in sight, consumers should expect higher prices and potentially reduced availability of new PCs throughout 2026. The industry faces a challenging period as manufacturers struggle to balance production costs with consumer demand in an increasingly volatile market.