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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →ASUS announced price adjustments for certain product configurations effective January 5, 2026, the day before CES 2026 opened. It did not publish a universal increase, a complete list of affected models, or enough detail to calculate what any particular buyer would pay. Other manufacturers faced similar component-cost pressure, but the evidence does not show that every major PC maker followed with a blanket increase.
What ASUS actually announced
Contemporary reports said ASUS told channel partners it would make “strategic price adjustments” to certain product combinations starting January 5, 2026. The reported explanation cited changing market conditions, supply stability, product quality and continued research-and-development investment. Tom’s Hardware connected the move particularly to rising memory and storage costs; Tom’s Guide reported on the channel communication. Tom’s Hardware’s report and Tom’s Guide’s report do not provide a public, model-by-model price sheet.
That distinction matters: an announced adjustment is not proof that every ASUS product’s checkout price went up. The reported notice did not establish a single percentage, a complete product list, worldwide application, whether it changed retail prices or distributor prices, or whether existing orders were protected. Local retailers may also price old inventory differently from newly supplied stock.
Why memory and storage costs were under pressure
AI data centers require substantial quantities of high-bandwidth memory and server-oriented DRAM. Suppliers have commercial incentives to direct capacity and investment toward those products, while consumer computers still need DRAM and NAND flash. Tighter supply and shifting allocations can therefore raise costs for PC memory and SSDs; AI demand does not literally consume the RAM intended for a particular laptop.
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“AI tax” is shorthand for this market pressure, not a term ASUS used to itemize its prices. Nor does it establish AI demand as the only cause. NAND supply, inventory, controllers, processor costs, Windows licensing and other silicon can contribute separately. In its June 25, 2026 update, Framework described pressure involving memory, storage, processors, Windows licensing and other silicon, illustrating that a PC maker’s cost base can extend well beyond RAM. Framework’s pricing updates document its own experience; they do not prove that every manufacturer faced identical costs.
Which buyers may be most exposed
Because ASUS referred to particular product combinations rather than naming a full product family, the following are exposure considerations, not confirmed affected models:
Rank #2
- Reliable Performance for Everyday Life Handle work, play, and entertainment on Windows 11 with speed and ease, thanks to its Intel Core 7 150U CPU, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, and fast WiFi 6.
- Clearly Superior Display Enjoy bright, sharp visuals on a slim-bezel NanoEdge display with wide viewing angles and TÜV Rheinland eye-care certification to reduce eye strain.
- Immersive, Balanced Sound Experience clear, rich, and full audio with a system tuned by SonicMaster, delivering wider and deeper sound for movies, music, and games.
- ASUS ErgoSense Keyboard with Numeric Keys Type comfortably with an ErgoSense keyboard designed for optimal key bounce and travel, plus built-in numeric keys for easier data entry during everyday work.
- Charge with Speed Vivobook 17 supports fast charging which allows you to charge a low battery to 60% in as little as 49 minutes, so you can be up and running quicker than ever!
- High-memory and high-storage configurations: A laptop or desktop configured with unusually large RAM or a 2TB or 4TB SSD may carry more component-cost exposure than a basic configuration.
- Gaming, creator and workstation systems: These often offer configurations with substantial memory and storage, but the announcement does not establish that every gaming or professional model changed price.
- Systems with soldered memory: Compact designs using soldered LPDDR5X can be efficient, but buyers cannot add memory later if their needs grow.
- AI-focused systems: A large memory pool may be useful for a real workload, but marketing alone is not a reason to pay for more capacity than needed.
Retail prices can vary by country, currency, tax, distributor agreements and available inventory. A Taiwan retailer estimate, for example, should not be treated as a US price rule. A newly announced CES model’s launch price also is not necessarily its later street price; changes in processor, display, battery or chassis can affect comparisons independently of memory costs.
Did other PC makers follow?
“Others to follow” was a forecast, not a confirmed statement that every manufacturer would raise prices. The documented examples are narrower:
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- Easy Productivity With 8GB Of Memory and 256GB Of Essential Storage — Experience reliable performance for the modern everyday, whether you’re watching movies, shopping or browsing. Save files quickly and store necessary data
- Up To 11 Hours Of Battery Life — With an efficient 42Wh battery 1, minimize charging downtime while maximizing your productivity and relaxation — anytime, anywhere
Framework: selected increases and continued warnings
Framework publicly documented changes to selected memory and storage pricing; an earlier update described a 50% increase for configurable DDR5 memory. Later updates covered some SSD and system configurations, and Framework warned that further changes were possible. Its community update also distinguished pre-orders, whose prices were generally protected, from new orders. Those details apply to Framework, not automatically to ASUS or other brands. See Framework’s June 25 update and its community pricing post.
Dell: reports of increases up to 30% need context
Contemporary reporting described some Dell increases as reaching up to 30%, but that figure should not be read as a 30% rise for every Dell computer. The product, market and timing determine what it means; check the price of the exact configuration and region. Dell’s CES 2026 announcement documents its product lineup, not a comprehensive price-increase notice.
Rank #4
- 【Incredible performance】: Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 512GB SSD, this laptop is designed to provide an ultrafast and smooth experience
- 【Fast charging battery】: ASUS fast-charge technology can recharge the battery up to 50% capacity in just 30 minutes, allowing you to quickly top it up without interrupting your workflow
- 【Extra toughness and durability】: This laptop stays cool in all situations thanks to ASUS IceCool thermal technology, and meets US military-grade standards for longevity and sustainability
- 【Effortless typing experience】: The precisely measured and fine-tuned ErgoSense keyboard design reduces strain on your hands and wrists
- 【Smooth video call experience】: AI Noise-Canceling Technology isolates unwanted noise for smooth communications
Other brands: do not treat expectation as confirmation
Predictions about Lenovo, Acer, Apple or other manufacturers are not proof of company-wide price changes. A specific company announcement, regional distributor notice or documented price history is needed to establish what changed. ASUS’s own CES 2026 materials and event media kit show a broad product portfolio, including AI-focused products, laptops, desktops and NUC systems, but do not provide a retrospective table of price increases.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide whether to buy now or wait
There is no universal reason to rush because of the ASUS announcement. Base the decision on the configuration you need, its actual local price and your timing:
Best Value
- Intel Processor Up to 2.80GHz, 4GB DDR4, 128GB Storage
- 15" FHD IPS Display, Intel UHD Graphics
- 1x USB Type C, 1 x USB Type A, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, HDMI
- Fast WiFi and Bluetooth, Integrated Webcam
- Chrome OS, AC Charger Included, Pastel Silver
Buying now may make sense if
- You have an identified system and a work, school or other fixed deadline.
- The configuration has the memory and storage capacity your real workloads require, and its current price is competitive with its recent typical price.
- The retailer’s return, warranty and price-protection terms are clear enough for your circumstances.
Waiting may make sense if
- You do not need a computer immediately and want independent reviews or established street prices for a newly announced model.
- You are considering an expensive high-capacity configuration but have not confirmed that you need it.
- The system’s memory is soldered and you are unsure what capacity will suit you over its useful life.
Check upgradeability before paying for a larger configuration
A desktop or repairable laptop with socketed RAM and replaceable NVMe storage can let you reuse components or buy upgrades separately, potentially avoiding a manufacturer’s configuration premium. It does not eliminate component inflation: standalone memory and SSDs can also become more expensive. Soldered LPDDR memory can support compact, power-efficient designs, but it removes the option of upgrading later. Compare the exact model’s memory type, upgrade options, SSD slots, warranty and final price rather than assuming every ASUS configuration—or every upgradeable computer—offers the same flexibility.
What the January announcement means as of August 18, 2026
The January 5 announcement is now a historical development, not a new notice. ASUS’s official CES materials confirm a wide range of products but do not show which specific models or regional retail prices changed because of the adjustment. The available evidence therefore supports the existence of configuration-specific price adjustments, not a complete ASUS price history or a blanket industry-wide increase.
For a purchase decision, compare the exact specifications and checkout price in your market, and account for discounts on existing inventory. A higher price on a newer machine may reflect a different processor or display as well as memory costs. Enterprise contract pricing, imported products and retailer promotions can also differ from consumer list prices; with an import, weigh any savings against warranty, support, keyboard and return-policy differences.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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