Buying a computer? AI is making it more expensive.
The rise of artificial intelligence is increasing demand for computing power, contributing to a shortage of memory chips and driving up the cost of personal computers for the first time since the early 1980s, according to Oxford Economics. Computer-related costs have risen more than 3% per month recently, reversing four decades of declining prices. While higher hardware prices are expected to persist through 2027, analysts believe weakening consumer demand may eventually stabilize costs.
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MoneyWatch Buying a computer? AI is making it more expensive. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Megan Cerullo Megan Cerullo Reporter, MoneyWatch Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting. Read Full Bio Megan Cerullo April 30, 2026 / 11:30 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Artificial intelligence puts powerful new technology in consumers' hands — if they can afford to use it. The rise of AI requires enormous computing power, which in turn is leading to a shortage of memory chips.
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