A global shortage of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced DRAM, driven almost entirely by insatiable AI demand, is forcing consumer electronics giants to raise prices while shipping fewer units. PC shipments fell roughly 5% in the second quarter of 2026, and the squeeze is only getting tighter.
Memory manufacturers are reallocating production capacity from consumer-focused DRAM and NAND chips toward AI-centric HBM and DDR5 memory. Companies like Apple, HP, Dell, and Microsoft are now paying more for less space.
The numbers behind the crunch
Micron Technology, one of the world’s largest memory producers, has fully sold out its entire HBM production for 2026.
Data centers are forecast to consume around 70% of high-end DRAM supplies by 2026. That leaves the remaining 30% to be divided among PC makers, smartphone manufacturers, and every other consumer electronics company on the planet.
