More from RAM price hikes: the latest on the global memory shortage
Another byproduct of Framework’s new RAM pricing is that preorders for the Ultra X7 358H version of the Framework Laptop 13 Pro jumped from $2,099 to $2,899. Framework’s announcement didn’t specify this config, but the Wayback Machine shows it.
People who got their 32GB preorders bumped down to 16GB also have to pay more if they want to maintain 32GB from Framework, or source their LPCAMM2 RAM elsewhere.
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.
PC Gamer spotted a listing for the Next 2 on Ayaneo’s website with a top configuration priced at $5,299. The same configuration, with 128GB of RAM and 2TB of storage, was already pricey at $4,299 earlier this year, before Ayaneo suspended preorders, saying the handheld was “unsustainable” due to skyrocketing RAM costs.
6
Verge Score
The new entry-level Surface Laptop 13-inch is last year’s same great hardware with less memory and a higher price.
After nine straight quarters of growth, worldwide PC shipments dropped by 4.9 percent year-over-year, according to IDC. The research firm places the blame for the decline squarely on the memory chip shortage driven by the AI arms race.
Omida reports that memory costs can make up more than half the cost of low-end phones. That’s leading to a gradual retreat from the low-end market, as low-end products are “already becoming unprofitable and face a high risk of weakening demand as retail price continues to rise.”
Mikhail Klimentov interviewed Schreier about the channel, where Schreier sits in a room and explains things about video games. “A rule that I set for myself is that I will not do any video that takes me more than 30 minutes to do in any way,” says Schreier.
The oldest video on Schreier’s channel was posted on May 27th, and he already has more than 100,000 subscribers.
[ReaderGrev]
“PlayStation hardware unit sales fell to their lowest May total since May 2000, while Xbox hardware unit sales were the lowest ever recorded for a May month,” says Circana analyst Mat Piscatella.
The PlayStation figures are probably explained by the recently-hiked prices. With Xbox prices going up soon, sales might continue to be grim.
I’m not sure there’s an AI agent that can solve the fact that everything costs more and the planet is melting.
Cpt_Slim_Jim:
Imma go out on a limb to say that I have not had any productivity increases from AI be worth the financial burden it has placed upon me and my family.
Get the day’s best comment and more in my free newsletter, The Verge Daily.
When is a gadget simultaneously good value and overpriced?
cantrip:
The Steam Machine is both fairly-priced and too expensive. It’s priced at cost, it’s just that not many people are going to be willing to pay it.
Get the day’s best comment and more in my free newsletter, The Verge Daily.
SanDisk has a new 8TB PS5 drive, which will cost you a mere $2,959.99 (thanks, RAM crisis!). But that might not be enough for every game.
ItWasRamirez:
And the worst part is that Call of Duty still won’t fit
Get the day’s best comment and more in my free newsletter, The Verge Daily.