How to buy a laptop when everything’s expensive

Key takeaways

Laptop prices are currently at an all-time high, with supply chain issues causing significant increases and unpredictability in pricing.
Consumers should prioritize buying laptops with higher specs (such as 16GB of RAM and SSD storage) for better longevity and performance, especially given the current market realities.
Refurbished or trusted used/laptop marketplace options can be viable ways to get better deals, but caution is advised to avoid scams; warranties are important.
High-end gaming and professional laptops remain expensive, and users might need to compromise or wait for better deals.
Market conditions suggest that high prices may persist, and it might be necessary to accept elevated costs or seek deals during sales rather than expecting prices to normalize soon.

Summary

The State of the Laptop Market During RAMageddon

The podcast kicks off with a discussion about the dire state of the laptop market amid a global RAM shortage, dubbed 'RAMageddon.' Laptop prices are soaring, with new models increasingly being upcharged shortly after release, making affordability a significant challenge. They talk about how even affordable laptops like the HP OmniBook 316 have seen unexpected price hikes, and the overall sense of despair among consumers shopping for laptops. The scarcity and price increases are attributed to supply chain issues, and the hosts explore how this impacts consumers trying to buy new machines.

Recommendations for Buying Laptops in 2026

The discussion moves to practical advice on how to navigate the expensive laptop landscape. Expert Antonio D. Benedetto shares criteria for purchasing equipment, emphasizing the importance of quality features like a bright display, good speakers, and a reliable trackpad. He recommends the MacBook Neo as an excellent choice for students due to its balance of quality, price, and longevity, especially with Apple’s M-series chips. For those with tighter budgets, options like the ASUS ZenBook A16 and the HP OmniBook offer decent performance for their price, though with limitations such as gaming capability or build quality. The hosts also advise considering refurbished or trusted third-party sellers for better deals, but warn about potential scams and emphasize the importance of warranties.

The Future of Laptop Pricing and Market Trends

The hosts discuss the outlook for laptop prices, expressing concern that the high costs are likely to continue and possibly worsen, given issues like tariffs and supply chain disruptions. They speculate on whether prices will ever come down significantly or if consumers will need to accept these elevated prices as the new normal. The conversation touches on how lower-end and mid-range markets might suffer most, while high-end and gaming laptops remain expensive. Waiting for sales or Black Friday deals might still be worthwhile but should be approached with tempered expectations since historical lows for prices are unlikely to recur. The hosts suggest that competition could help drive prices down, but current market conditions favor sustained high prices.

Show notes

If, after months of increasingly dire RAMageddon warnings, you just now find yourself in the market for a new laptop... we're here to help. In the latest installment of our "RAMageddon Survival Guide," laptop reviewer Antonio G. Di Benedetto joins David Imel to offer his recommendations.