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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Samuel Gibbs Consumer technology editor

‘RAMageddon’: is the era of cheap phones and laptops over?

Laptop engulfed in flames and smoke on wooden desk
Laptop manufacturers such as Apple are increasing their prices as the cost of memory chips soars. Illustration: Leo Lintang/Alamy

The end of the cheap laptop, the bargain phone and affordable games consoles may be on the horizon. Not because new models are more hi-tech, but because the cost of computer components has shot up.

Recently, the biggest manufacturers of laptops and phones, including Microsoft, Samsung and Dell, started putting up prices and pulling cheaper models – which is going to make finding budget phones and laptops under £400 much harder.

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