Rising memory prices are forcing laptop makers to bring back 8GB RAM configurations. After a brief push toward 16GB as the new standard, the industry is reversing course. Several major models at Computex 2026 ship with 8GB as the base option.
Dell and Acer debut 8GB models at Computex 2026
Dell's XPS 13 and Acer's Swift Air 14 both start with 8GB RAM. Microsoft's Surface Laptop 13 also offers an 8GB configuration at $1299.99. These devices were expected to feature 16GB as the entry point.
The shift stems from increased memory costs driven by AI demand. Higher prices made 16GB configurations more expensive, pushing manufacturers to reintroduce 8GB to keep prices competitive. Qualcomm's entry-level Snapdragon C platform supports up to 8GB RAM, aligning with this trend.
Pricing for the Surface Laptop 13 starts at 1299.99 USD (about $1,300) for the 8GB model. Other models' pricing details were not disclosed. Availability timelines remain unannounced.
The move marks a reversal from recent years when 16GB became common in premium laptops. The industry had been moving toward higher memory standards, but cost pressures are now driving a rollback.
Confirmed details: 8GB RAM is returning to laptops from Dell, Acer, and Microsoft. The Surface Laptop 13 has a specific price point. Qualcomm's platform supports the lower memory configuration. No further specs or performance claims are available.
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