If you've noticed laptops, phones and tablets getting more expensive without actually getting any better, you're not imagining it. As I explain in my article What does the RAM crisis mean for creatives?, the world is suffering a severe shortage of RAM, the memory chips that all devices need to run smoothly.
Demand from AI data centres has swallowed up so much supply, firms like Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and Dell have all raised their prices – by up to $500 – for devices that haven't changed at all.
Unlike previous tech price shocks, this one doesn't look like resolving itself quickly. In fact, some experts are predicting prices won't properly settle until 2030. For the first time in decades, the usual rule that tech gets cheaper over time has gone into reverse.
That's the bad news. The good news is that creatives, more than most, are well placed to ride this out sensibly. Because here's the thing: you probably don't need to buy the most powerful device on the shelf. You just need the right device for the jobs you actually do.
Here are 6 ways to approach your next upgrade without overpaying.
01. Buy sooner rather than later
Firstly, if your kit is on its last legs and you're certain it'll need replacing this year, do so sooner rather than later. Because right now, every pricing forecast is pointing the same way: up, and by a significant margin, through the rest of 2026 and into 2027.
Waiting for a sale or a price drop isn't a realistic strategy at the moment. That's not a reason to panic-buy something you don't need, but if a purchase is coming anyway, bringing it forward could save you a meaningful amount.
02. Consider a refurb
Refurbished laptops, phones and tablets are one of the most sensible ways to sidestep the worst of the price rises. A refurbished model will have been built and priced before this shortage began, so it won't have been hit by the same cost increases as anything coming off the production line today.
Reputable refurbishers thoroughly test and often guarantee their devices, so you're not necessarily taking on more risk; just buying something that's a generation or two old rather than brand new.
It's also, of course, a better option for the planet than buying new. Look for sellers who offer a proper warranty and a clear grading system, so you know exactly what condition you're getting.
- For used photography equipment try a specialist such as MPB or the refurb services of trusted companies such as Canon or Nikon.
- For laptops and tablets, Apple's certified refurbished store is worth checking for Macs and iPads, while Back Market and CeX cover a broader range of Apple, Windows and Android cbrands.
- For phones, the manufacturers' own refurbished stores (Apple, Samsung, Google etc) all offer graded, warrantied handsets at a decent saving.
- Don't buy off a random on Facebook. Just… don't.
03. Buy last year's model
If you choose to buy new, you'll typically make big savings by choosing the previous generation rather than the newest release. Older stock will have been made with components bought before prices climbed, and retailers are often keen to clear it from their shelves and stock rooms.
Yes, a model from 2024 or 2025 may lack the very latest processor. But for most creative professionals, that won't make a lot of difference. Admittedly if you're a videographer, video editor or 3D artist then you will want the most powerful kit you can get. But for graphic designers, web designers and illustrators, for example, last year's flagship or earlier will normally be more than sufficient.
Just don't leave it too long; because older stock doesn't hang around for ever, and lots of creatives will be having the same idea around now.
04. Repair and extend
It's worth asking: do you need to replace your current kit at all, or can it be nursed along a little further? A battery replacement, a clean-out of unnecessary software and background processes, or an external SSD to take the pressure off limited storage can all buy you meaningful extra time.
Many performance problems that feel like "I need a new laptop" are actually caused by clutter and inefficient software rather than the hardware itself running out of road. And even if the hardware is the problem, a repair is often more realistic and affordable than a full replacement in the current market. For more details, read my article Should you upgrade or replace your laptop?.
05. Match the device to the job
It's tempting to buy the most powerful device you can justify, just in case. And in the abstract, who wouldn't want the future-proofed equipment you can get? However, in a market where extra memory now carries a real premium, this buy-the-absolute-best habit gets expensive, fast. And so it's worth thinking honestly about what your creative work actually needs.
Editing a handful of raw photos or working mainly in layout and design software doesn't require anywhere near the memory that multi-layer video editing or 3D work does. So if you do a mix of light and heavy work, it may make more financial sense to buy a modestly specified everyday machine and either hire in more powerful kit for the occasional demanding job, or use a shared studio or freelance workspace with the right setup, rather than owning maximum power all year round.
Meanwhile if you do need a genuinely high-memory machine for demanding creative work, make sure you buy enough at the point of purchase. Many slim laptops, tablets and all phones now have memory soldered in, meaning you simply can't add more later. Where a model still offers upgradeable memory, that flexibility is worth paying a little extra for, because it means you're not locked into today's decision for the life of the device.
06. Keep an eye on your usage
Finally, it's worth periodically checking how much of your device's memory and storage you're really using day to day. Photography, video and design software can accumulate huge caches, duplicate files and unused plug-ins over time, all of which eat into the resources you've paid for. A regular clear-out costs nothing and, alongside the strategies above, is one of the simplest ways to keep getting good service from the kit you've already got.
None of this is much fun, and it's a far cry from the days when buying a new laptop naturally meant more power for less money. But a bit of planning now, rather than a panic-buy later, should keep you working comfortably until the memory market finally comes back down to earth… whenever that may be.
For a range of laptops available now, see below:
