Memory crisis: Framework increases prices for laptops and desktops
US computer manufacturer Framework announces price increases, citing the memory crisis. The desktop computer will also become more expensive.
The Framework Desktop is getting expensive.
(Image: Framework)
The manufacturer of easily repairable and modular laptops and, more recently, desktops, Framework, is increasing the prices of its products. The desktop computer now costs up to 440 Euros more. The manufacturer has also adjusted the prices of its laptops.
Volatile memory prices
"We waited as long as possible, but today we had to update the prices for our Framework Desktop to compensate for the massive price increase for LPDDR5x from our suppliers," the company explains the price increases. "As before, we are only adjusting prices to the extent necessary to cover the increased costs." Framework cites volatile memory prices as the main reason – the smaller ones are hit first.
According to Framework, prices for 128-Gbit components have risen the most. This particularly affects the popular 128-GByte configuration. Eight 128-Gbit chips are needed for 128 Gbyte. Meanwhile, Framework has been able to keep the 32-GByte and 64-GByte configurations closer to the original prices.
In the German Framework Store, customers can purchase a desktop computer with AMD Ryzen AI Max 300 Series and 32 or 64 GByte LPDDR5x-RAM for 1299 or 1879 Euros respectively. This corresponds to a still manageable price increase of 20 Euros. The configuration with 128 GByte starts at 2769 Euros, making it 890 Euros more expensive than the 64-GByte version – in each case without an SSD. At the time of the announcement early last year, Framework was charging 2329 Euros for this configuration.
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SSDs are also getting a bit more expensive
In addition to RAM, SSD prices have also risen at Framework. However, the increases are generally less drastic: while the manufacturer charged around 140 Euros for a 1 TByte SSD, it is now ten Euros more. The larger the storage, the greater the price increases.
The increases for the desktop were not the first announcement of the company raising prices. Back in December, the company was forced to adjust the prices of the Framework Laptop DIY Edition. Framework had increased RAM prices by 50 percent. Framework pointed out at the time that the laptop could also be delivered without RAM if desired.
This is unlikely to be the last price increase from Framework or other manufacturers, as the memory crisis is far from over. Larger companies have so far been able to avoid higher prices by filling their warehouses in advance. But eventually, storage supplies will also be depleted.
(afl)
