ASUS to Raise PC Prices by 30% Amid RAM Shortage

Major PC manufacturers are bracing for a significant increase in product costs due to a growing shortage of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). ASUS is among the first companies to announce price hikes, planning to raise the cost of its computers by up to 30%.

Initially, this price adjustment will affect the consumer market in Taiwan. However, industry analysts anticipate that this trend will soon extend to other regions. It is expected that other major market players, such as Acer and Dell, may follow ASUS's lead.

The primary cause of this price surge is the prolonged DRAM shortage, which is exerting considerable pressure on the entire computing industry. Previously, manufacturers managed to keep prices stable by utilizing accumulated component inventories. However, the situation has changed; memory availability has significantly decreased, and its cost has risen, directly impacting the production expense of finished devices.

Other factors are exacerbating the situation, including rising prices for SSDs, as well as shortages of processors and graphics cards. These issues collectively create complex conditions within supply chains, compelling companies to balance ensuring stable supplies with maintaining profitability.

Experts believe that under current circumstances, price increases are almost an unavoidable step. Furthermore, if current trends persist, the budget segment of personal computers could significantly shrink or even vanish in the coming years. Overall PC shipments are also projected to decline by double-digit percentages this year.

In response to the ongoing crisis, many manufacturers, including ASUS, Acer, and Dell, are actively diversifying their businesses. They are strengthening their presence in the server solutions and contract manufacturing sectors, aiming to capitalize on the increasing demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.