A very grim picture is being painted over the consumer PC space as Lenovo is now claiming that memory price increases will become the new norm. According to the latest report from Wall Street News China, Lenovo stated at ISC 2026 that the upward trajectory for memory prices has just begun, meaning that these increases will become a standard expectation. This is disappointing news for the majority of PC enthusiasts who were hoping for stabilization in DRAM and NAND Flash pricing, as these increases are pushing the cost of consumer electronics beyond previous levels of affordability.

Lenovo, one of the largest PC OEMs, frequently conducts channel checks with its DRAM and NAND Flash suppliers. The company is adept at projecting demand, allowing it to understand where the demand and supply ratio is heading. According to the company's analysis, even though Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron are accelerating the construction of new semiconductor fabs to expand capacity, this is simply not enough to meet demand. It is unclear whether this means that the new capacity coming online is insufficient or if the current capacity projections are inadequate. Either way, Lenovo projects that shortages of DRAM and NAND Flash will last longer than originally anticipated.

Lenovo notes that the trajectory observed in early Q4 of 2025, when price increases began, has the potential to continue well into the end of this decade. By 2030 and even beyond, we could possibly see continued price increases given the current manufacturing capacity projections and supply. If the data center buildout continues at this pace and accelerates, there is little hope for PC DIY enthusiasts to find cheaper DRAM and NAND Flash anytime soon. The days of affordable electronics may be over for the next few years, as the ramp-up of production capacity by SK hynix, Samsung, and Micron will determine the future of prices.