{
  "id": 7054356,
  "title": "Singapore PC prices jump up to 40pc as AI boom squeezes supply",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/singapore-pc-prices-jump-up-to-40pc-as-ai-boom-squeezes-supply",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-13T03:32:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2026/09/13/singapore-pc-prices-jump-up-to-40pc-as-ai-boom-squeezes-supply/235020"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore consumers may want to reconsider purchasing new laptops or desktops, as prices for these devices have surged by up to 40 percent due to a global component shortage, primarily driven by the artificial intelligence boom. According to the recent findings of research firm IDC, the average price of a regular laptop in Singapore increased 26 percent year-on-year to S$1,650 (RM5,200) in the second quarter of 2026, from S$1,300 (RM4,100) in the previous year. Desktop computers saw a 28 percent price hike to S$1,410 (RM4,450), and gaming desktops jumped 39 percent to nearly S$1,860 (RM5,870).\n\nThe most significant impact is seen in RAM, or computer memory, as manufacturers divert production to meet the burgeoning demand in AI infrastructure, where margins are higher. IDC's Ho Jin Wei stated that the PC market has experienced significant price hikes since last year, driven largely by the memory shortage crisis affecting the entire information technology sector. The average price of a 32GB DDR5 RAM kit has nearly quadrupled from S$195 (RM615) in August 2025 to S$763 (RM2,410) in August 2026.\n\nSimilarly, the price of a 1TB internal solid-state drive doubled from S$149 (RM470) to S$328 (RM1,035). Nvidia's 5060 series graphics cards rose 44 percent from S$572 (RM1,805) to S$824 (RM2,600). IDC predicts that PC prices will remain elevated throughout 2027, with only a slight price reduction expected in the second half of the year. However, major graphics card manufacturers reportedly plan additional price hikes for their products in the last six months of 2026, potentially leading to further price hikes.\n\nThe shortage has affected Singapore's computer retailers, with four shops at Sim Lim Square reporting sales declines ranging from 20 percent to 80 percent compared to 2025. John Soroya, owner of R Zech Laptop, revealed that sales of new and refurbished computers plunged 80 percent. He acknowledged the challenges of covering rent given the reduced sales. Some consumers are postponing purchases, hoping for price reductions, while businesses and enthusiasts continue buying due to the higher costs. Suppliers have informed the store that motherboard prices rose by about 10 percent in September.",
  "summary": "SINGAPORE, Sept 13 — Consumers looking for a new laptop or desktop may want to think twice, as PC prices here have...",
  "key_points": [
    "Singapore PC prices surged up to 40% due to AI boom and component shortage",
    "Laptop prices increased 26% to S$1,650 (RM5,200) in Q2 2026",
    "RAM prices nearly quadrupled from S$195 to S$763 in 1 year"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The AI-driven global component shortage has squeezed PC supply, forcing Singapore consumers to pay sharply higher prices and prompting some retailers to report steep sales declines.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}