From Engadget · Luke James · · 2m
Why 8GB laptops are a false economy
RAM prices have soared, pushing manufacturers back to 8GB base models. But the performance cost makes the upgrade essential.
In brief
RAM prices have soared, pushing manufacturers back to 8GB base models. But the performance cost makes the upgrade essential. Laptop makers are cutting RAM to 8GB to hold prices steady as memory costs surge, but testing shows 16GB is now essential for usable performance. Originally reported by Engadget.
The return of 8GB laptops
Dell's XPS 13 and Apple's MacBook Neo now start at 8GB of RAM, reversing years of progress. This happened because memory costs surged dramatically in 2026.
When 16GB became standard
Microsoft's Copilot+ PC program set 16GB as the minimum in May 2024. Apple then doubled the MacBook Air's base RAM from 8GB to 16GB without raising its nine hundred ninety-nine dollar price.
Memory costs exploded
TrendForce forecast that prices PC makers pay memory suppliers would increase by ninety to ninety-five percent in the first quarter of 2026 alone.
8GB is barely usable
Testing the Dell XPS 13 base model found eighty percent of RAM committed to invisible processes after Windows booted. Opening a browser pushed usage to ninety-five percent, causing hiccups.
The 16GB model performs much better
The midrange Dell XPS 13 with 16GB scored about thirty percent higher in PCMark ten and lasted one hour and forty-four minutes longer in battery testing.
Why makers are cutting RAM
Memory and storage now account for roughly thirty percent of laptop build costs, up from fifteen percent. Manufacturers are cutting specs to hold familiar price points like five hundred ninety-nine and seven hundred ninety-nine dollars.
The upgrade costs two hundred dollars
Dell charges two hundred dollars to upgrade the XPS 13 from 8GB to 16GB. Testing determined that everyone but the most casual users should pay for it.
Prices will keep rising
Acer chairman Jason Chen expects PC prices to rise another five to twenty percent before the end of the year and peak in the first half of twenty twenty-seven.
“PC prices to rise another 5 to 20 percent before the end of the year”
An 8GB laptop stays 8GB
Even optimistic forecasts show laptops getting more expensive before they get cheaper. An eight GB laptop bought today will still have eight GB when prices finally fall.
In short
Laptop makers are cutting RAM to 8GB to hold prices steady as memory costs surge, but testing shows 16GB is now essential for usable performance.
