Memory prices are soaring, and laptop makers are responding by shipping cheaper configurations rather than raising sticker prices. According to Engadget, TrendForce projects that memory and storage will account for more than 30 percent of a mainstream laptop's bill of materials in early 2026, up from roughly 15 percent normally. That helps explain why Dell's XPS 13 and Apple's MacBook Neo both start at 8GB of RAM.
Engadget's testing of the 2026 XPS 13 found that 8GB is no longer enough for everyday use: 80 percent of memory was committed after boot, and opening a browser pushed usage to 95 percent, causing regular hiccups. The 16GB version scored about 30 percent higher in PCMark 10 and lasted 1 hour 44 minutes longer in the same battery test. Dell charges $200 for the upgrade, which is cheaper than replacing the laptop later.
Industry forecasts suggest the pain is not over. Acer's CEO expects PC prices to rise another 5 to 20 percent before the end of the year and peak in the first half of 2027, while TrendForce expects brands to struggle to balance prices, specs, and profits. The article advises buyers to avoid 8GB models even if they seem like a deal, since an 8GB machine bought today will still have 8GB when memory prices eventually fall.