Component Shortage
Ongoing coverage on Component Shortage.
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Nintendo hounded by investors to increase Switch 2 price to protect margins
Nintendo is facing pressure from investors to increase the price of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 due to rising component costs and supply chain disruptions. Investors are concerned that the projected $450 price point may be unprofitable, especially when compared to Sony's ability to adjust PlayStation 5 pricing. The company is expected to address these concerns during its upcoming earnings briefing.
'This doesn't have RAM in it, and it's not as complicated to start getting out the door for us' — Valve confirms it's releasing the Steam Controller before the Steam Machine in response to RAM crisis, but originally saw 'no need' to ship them together
Valve has announced that the Steam Controller will launch on May 4, 2026, for $99, preceding the Steam Machine due to ongoing RAM and storage shortages. Hardware engineer Steve Cardinali explained that the controller's lack of RAM makes it easier to release sooner, and Valve never intended to launch all hardware simultaneously. The company aims to ship all three products within the first half of the year.
"Memory costs will impact pricing, and will impact availability" of Xbox's Project Helix console, Asha…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that RAM shortages will impact the pricing and availability of Microsoft's upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix. This comes as the industry anticipates higher costs for next-generation hardware, with some analysts predicting a 50% increase over the previous generation and memory crisis potentially lasting until 2028.
"We're just as impacted as everyone else": Valve explain Steam Machine delays and why the Steam Controller is coming out sooner
Valve engineers Steve Cardinali and Lawrence Yang discussed delays for the Steam Machine, attributing them to industry-wide component shortages and rising costs. The Steam Controller, less affected by these issues, is set for release on May 4th as it is ready, dispelling rumors of intentional delays.
Xbox boss: Memory crisis could impact next-gen hardware availability and pricing
Xbox boss Asha Sharma has indicated that ongoing memory chip shortages, driven by AI data center demand, could impact the pricing and availability of next-generation hardware, codenamed Project Helix. While development kits are set to ship in 2027, a consumer launch timeline remains unconfirmed due to the dynamic market conditions. Sharma emphasized a focus on building a great console and offering flexible pricing, despite potential cost increases.
RAM spot prices are down by 5%, though they did spike by well over 2000% this past year
Spot prices for RAM have recently decreased by approximately 5%, following a significant spike of over 2000% in the past year, largely driven by the AI industry's demand. Despite this minor drop, consumer prices are unlikely to fall substantially soon, with projections suggesting affordable RAM might not be available until 2028. Some industry leaders express concern about potential bankruptcies and the future of personal computing due to the ongoing memory crisis.
CPU Prices Will Reportedly Rise Again For The Third Time This Year
Intel is reportedly planning a third CPU price increase this year, with prices expected to rise by 30 percent due to high demand from AI data centers and supply constraints. Separately, Valve has warned that Steam Deck OLED models may face intermittent stock shortages due to ongoing memory and storage component shortages impacting the PC and console markets.
Ayaneo is already planning to discontinue one of its latest handhelds thanks to RAMageddon, and I fear the worst for…
Ayaneo is reportedly planning to discontinue its KONKR Pocket FIT 8 Elite handheld due to rising production costs caused by component shortages, particularly RAM. This issue, dubbed 'RAMageddon,' is impacting other handheld makers and even the Steam Deck OLED. Despite the discontinuation plans, existing orders are being fulfilled, and Ayaneo is looking into compensation for delays.
After PS5 Price Hikes, Sony Suspends Memory Card Sales Due to Supply Crisis
Sony has temporarily suspended sales of its CFexpress and SDXC/SDHC memory cards due to global component shortages and other factors. This decision, alongside recent price hikes for the PlayStation 5, highlights ongoing pressures in the global economic landscape and supply chain.
"It wouldn't be a surprise if Microsoft and Nintendo followed suit" - Analyst reacts to PlayStation's shock price rise as industry braces for more uncertainty
Sony has announced a significant price increase for the PlayStation 5, citing global economic pressures and component cost increases. Industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls suggests Microsoft and Nintendo may follow suit. This price hike comes at an awkward time with the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 expected later this year.
The Nex Playground is getting a price hike because of the memory crisis
Nex is raising the price of its Nex Playground console from $249 to $299 starting April 1, 2026, due to a global memory and storage component shortage exacerbated by AI infrastructure demand. CEO David Lee stated the company can no longer sustainably absorb the rising costs. Other companies like Valve and Nintendo are also facing pressures from the crisis, with potential impacts on their hardware pricing and supply.
Razer's brand new Blade 16 gaming laptop manages to swerve RAMageddon with the same MSRP as last year
Razer has updated its Blade 16 gaming laptop with Intel's latest processors and an improved OLED display, maintaining last year's MSRP despite component shortages. The new configurations start at $3,499.99 for an RTX 5080 model, with a top-tier RTX 5090 version priced at $4,999.99. The article highlights Razer's success in managing pricing and component availability for this iterative hardware refresh.
The RAMpocalypse Is Already Claiming Its First PC Gaming Handheld
AyaNeo has suspended preorders for its upcoming Next 2 handheld gaming PC due to significant increases in RAM and storage costs, driven by demand from AI and data-center companies. While existing preorders will be fulfilled, the company cited that component costs have more than doubled, making the product unsustainable at its current price point. This situation highlights a broader industry-wide component shortage impacting various gaming hardware, including the Steam Deck and potentially future consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2.
Acer's Arrow Lake gaming laptops are heading our way this July, but it's going to take a lot to drag me away…
Acer has announced its 2026 gaming laptop lineup, featuring refreshes of the Predator Helios Neo series with Intel Core Ultra 200HX Plus processors and NVIDIA RTX 5080 GPUs, slated for a July release. The company cited industry-wide component shortages, particularly for RAM and SSDs driven by AI manufacturing, as a reason for the later launch and potential price increases. Despite incremental performance upgrades, the article suggests that last year's models may offer better value due to current discounts and fewer supply chain issues.
Weeks after the Steam Deck disappeared, Retroid discontinues Pocket G2 "due to ongoing fluctuations in memory…
Retroid has temporarily discontinued the Retroid Pocket G2 handheld due to ongoing industry-wide component shortages, particularly affecting memory. This follows the recent cancellation of the Retroid Pocket 6's 12GB model. The company is also increasing prices on other devices, with the Pocket Classic now costing $149. The article suggests consumers consider existing handhelds not impacted by AI memory demands while waiting for the market to stabilize.
Xbox Project Helix Could Be A Make-Or-Break Moment For Microsoft
Microsoft has revealed more details about its upcoming console/PC platform, codenamed Project Helix, with developer kits set to ship in 2028. Industry analysts suggest this indicates a consumer launch no earlier than 2028, potentially facing high prices due to component shortages like RAM. Project Helix is seen as a significant strategic move for Xbox, potentially marking a shift towards a PC-first ecosystem.
Gaming PCs will be too expensive for ordinary people by 2028 predicts report
A report from Gartner predicts that PC hardware will become prohibitively expensive for average consumers by 2028 due to ongoing component shortages and rising costs. This trend is expected to significantly impact the entry-level PC market, potentially leading to a decline in PC shipments and influencing console manufacturers' strategies.
