Supply Chain
Ongoing coverage on Supply Chain.
Latest coverage
Three Biggest RAM Makers Sued for Price-Fixing DRAM, Causing Supply Shortage
SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron are facing a class-action lawsuit alleging price-fixing and supply manipulation of DRAM components. The lawsuit claims the companies artificially limited DDR3 and DDR4 RAM supply to drive up prices, while prioritizing more profitable High Bandwidth Memory for AI data centers. This alleged behavior has impacted the prices of consumer electronics, including gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
The largest RAM and storage component manufacturers are being sued for alleged price fixing and stoking "supracompetitive prices"
Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, the world's largest RAM and storage manufacturers, are facing a class-action lawsuit alleging price-fixing and intentional supply limitations. The suit claims these actions have led to 'supracompetitive prices' for consumers, impacting devices from PCs and consoles to AI data centers. This is not the first time these companies have faced such accusations, with past incidents involving DRAM price-fixing leading to significant fines.
US lawsuit accuses Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron of worsening the RAM crisis by fixing memory prices and supply
Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are facing a US class-action lawsuit accusing them of fixing RAM prices and supply, thereby worsening the global memory crisis. The lawsuit alleges the companies colluded to shift production from consumer RAM to High Bandwidth Memory for AI data centers, reducing overall supply and driving up prices since 2022. Micron has stated they disagree with the allegations and will defend themselves.
SK Hynix, Samsung and Micron sued over allegations of "concerted anticompetitive behaviour" in DRAM market
Chip manufacturers SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron are facing a class action lawsuit alleging concerted anticompetitive behavior in the DRAM market. Lawyers claim the companies coordinated to cut consumer DRAM supply and pivot to high-bandwidth memory for data centers, leading to significant price increases. This alleged behavior follows a history of DRAM price-fixing conspiracies between the same companies.
Valve can afford a niche, pricey hardware launch; Sony and Microsoft can’t
The article analyzes the impact of rising hardware component prices on the video game industry, particularly for console manufacturers like Sony and Microsoft. While Valve's Steam Machine can find a niche despite its high price, Sony and Microsoft face greater risks if their next-generation consoles are priced out of the mass market due to these ongoing supply chain and pricing issues.
New report suggests retailers may run out of PS5 and Xbox stock 'around the launch of GTA 6' — 'Demand will likely outstrip supply during the year end period'
Retailers may face shortages of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles around the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 due to ongoing hardware component availability issues. Demand is expected to outstrip supply during the year-end period, despite assurances from Sony about PS5 stock for 2026. Xbox has acknowledged existing supply limitations.
Grand Theft Auto 6 demand may be so high it will "likely outstrip supply" this holiday season, a video game retailer warns
A video game retailer warns that demand for Grand Theft Auto 6, launching November 19, will likely outstrip supply for consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S this holiday season. Ongoing hardware component shortages, exacerbated by the generative AI boom, are limiting the availability of units needed to meet the anticipated surge in interest.
Xbox May Have Another Price Hike Up Its Sleeve In 2027
Microsoft is reportedly planning another price increase for Xbox consoles, potentially in late 2027 or 2028, citing rising storage and memory costs. This follows recent price hikes implemented in May and October 2025, and a prior increase in October 2024. The company attributes these adjustments to significant increases in component prices, which have more than doubled.
Microsoft raises price of Xbox consoles once again, sunsets 2TB model
Microsoft is increasing the prices of its Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles globally starting August 1, 2026, citing a global memory hardware shortage driven by generative AI companies. The 512GB Xbox Series S will rise by $100 to $499.99, and 1TB models of both consoles will increase by $150, with the 2TB Xbox Series X being discontinued. This follows similar price hikes from Sony and Nintendo, with Microsoft explaining that consoles are typically sold at a loss, making them particularly vulnerable to component cost increases.
PC RAM prices could stay this high for years, hints memory maker Micron's latest earnings
Micron Technology's latest earnings report indicates that PC RAM prices may remain high for several years due to long-term supply agreements and a focus on data center production. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra highlighted that industry supply is structurally constrained and unlikely to meet increasing demand until around 2028. This situation, coupled with potential shifts in AI infrastructure, suggests inflated prices for RAM-intensive tech products will persist.
Valve wasn't sure it was gonna have any Steam Machines to sell at the start of 2026: 'Things looked really…
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais discussed the challenges in producing Steam Machines, particularly due to the RAM crisis impacting component costs and availability. At the beginning of the year, Valve was uncertain if they would have any units to sell, but they have since managed to secure a sizable amount for launch, though day-one demand is expected to exceed supply.
Well, that explains the expensive Steam Machine: Valve can't negotiate with RAM companies for better prices because "if we say no, then they never talk to us again"
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais explained that the high price of the Steam Machine is due to RAM manufacturers refusing to negotiate, leaving Valve with limited options. This issue is exacerbated by generative AI companies consuming large amounts of RAM, driving up prices for all consumers and leading console manufacturers like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo to increase their own hardware prices.
Valve Admits That it Didn’t Have Bargaining Power With RAM Companies for Steam Machine
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais revealed that the high cost of the Steam Machine was partly due to a lack of bargaining power with memory manufacturers. These companies dictated prices with no room for negotiation, a situation exacerbated by the demand from AI data centers. Griffais also explained Valve's commitment to an open PC ecosystem, which prevented them from subsidizing the hardware cost like a console.
Valve's Steam Machine price starts at $1049 / £879; original pricing "no longer viable" due to hardware supply issues
Valve has announced that the Steam Machine will start at $1,049 USD / £879 GBP for the 512GB model and $1,349 USD / £1,149 GBP for the 2TB model, significantly higher than originally planned due to hardware supply issues. Availability will be limited and determined by a lottery system. Early reviews suggest it's a compelling entry-level gaming PC but too expensive to directly compete with consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Sony May Mitigate Hardware Pricing Nightmare by Simply Selling Fewer PS5s
Sony is reportedly planning to mitigate the impact of rising hardware component costs by selling fewer PlayStation 5 consoles. This strategy aims to maintain profitability despite increased prices for memory semiconductors, which are also affecting other platforms like the Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch. The company does not expect to offer hardware promotions in the near future.
Steam Controller Reservations Now Backed Into 2027
Valve's Steam Controller is experiencing significant demand, leading to reservation fulfillment dates extending into 2027. New orders placed today are estimated to arrive in 2027, with existing reservations being placed into delivery timeframes spanning up to September 2026, December 2026, or 2027. Valve is also delaying information on other Steam Hardware like the Steam Machine and Steam Frame due to economic pressures on computer components.
Steam Controller demand is so high Valve is changing reservation estimates, and some customers won't get theirs until 2027
Valve has adjusted reservation estimates for the Steam Controller due to overwhelming demand, with some customers now facing delivery windows in 2027. The company stated that production cannot keep up with current demand, and new orders placed today are unlikely to be fulfilled this year. The Steam Controller, priced at $99, aims to emulate the Steam Deck experience on PC and provide a comfortable alternative to mouse and keyboard for sofa gaming.
Steam Controller reservation hopefuls hit by fresh disappointment with Valve's latest hardware update
Valve has announced significant delays for Steam Controller reservations, pushing estimated order windows to September 2026, December 2026, or sometime in 2027 due to demand exceeding expectations. The company stated that they have no plans to stop production but want to manage customer expectations regarding delivery times for the popular PC hardware.
Steam Controller demand is so high that new reservations won't be fulfilled until 2027
Valve is struggling to meet the high demand for its Steam Controller, with new reservations not expected to be fulfilled until 2027. The company has updated its reservation system to reflect estimated shipping windows of September 2026, December 2026, or sometime in 2027. Valve assures customers that production will continue, but current demand far outstrips their manufacturing capacity for the year.
'Price increases are unavoidable' says Tim Cook, proving even Apple isn't impervious to the global memory…
Apple CEO Tim Cook has stated that price increases for memory and storage components are unavoidable due to unprecedented global supply chain issues. He described the current situation as a 'hundred-year flood' and indicated that Apple is absorbing some of the cost increases to shield consumers but that the situation has become unsustainable.
