Skip to content
Tech News
← Back to articles

My two Raspberry Pi boards cost as much as a laptop now - and AI is to blame

2026-04-02 | original
read original get Raspberry Pi 4 Kit → more articles
Why This Matters

The surge in RAM prices driven by AI data center demand has significantly increased the cost of consumer electronics like Raspberry Pi boards, making them comparable in price to laptops. This trend highlights how AI infrastructure expansion is impacting the broader tech market and consumer affordability. As AI continues to grow, its influence on hardware costs could reshape the availability and pricing of various tech products.

Key Takeaways

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET's key takeaways

RAM prices are soaring due to AI demand, driving up Pi costs.

Two Raspberry Pi boards can now cost as much as a laptop.

AI data centers are fuelling RAM shortages, impacting consumers.

It's no exaggeration to say that RAM prices are skyrocketing, driving up the cost of products that rely heavily on memory. One product category that's been hit particularly hard is the Raspberry Pi single-board computer.

Once celebrated as a low-cost solution for hobbyists, the price of Raspberry Pi boards has now soared to the point where two 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 boards will cost you as much as a new MacBook Neo.

Also: The Flipper One may be the ultimate Linux PC for hackers in 2026 - and I'm excited

So, what's going on with RAM prices?

... continue reading

Explore topics: raspberry pi ai data centers ram prices g.skill micron
Related:
Memory spiked first, CPUs followed, now PCBs could be the next victim of the AI boom
DRAM pricing is killing the hobbyist SBC market
That cheap Lenovo tablet you were eyeing might not be so cheap anymore
Oracle layoffs will help cost savings, analysts say
Oracle’s Stock Has Plummeted 25%. Now It’s Cutting Thousands of Jobs.

© 2026 GoKawiil

About | Editorial Policy | Contact