Acer chief predicts PC prices will fall by late 2027, accusing memory firms of exaggerating shortages
Acer CEO Jason Chen told reporters that memory suppliers are overstating long-term shortages to sustain high margins, and that PC prices will plateau in early 2027 before declining. He argues that only high-end DDR5 and niche CPUs are truly scarce, while Chinese memory makers will introduce cheaper alternatives that disrupt the market. Chen expects component prices to reverse in the latter half of 2027, contrary to industry warnings of a decade-long DRAM shortage.
Chen's remarks directly contradict warnings from SK hynix and Apacer, which project the memory crunch worsening through 2027 and persisting until 2030. He points to Acer's own adoption of CXMT memory chips and YMTC SSDs in certain product lines as evidence that Chinese suppliers are already gaining traction. The CEO also acknowledged that separate cost pressures on SSDs, PCBs, and fiberglass cloth are complicating the pricing picture, even as he dismissed the notion of broad component scarcity. His timeline suggests supplier pricing lags consumer pricing by several months, meaning any relief would first appear in retail channels before reaching manufacturers.
If Chen's forecast proves accurate, consumers could see meaningful relief on PC purchases by late 2027, potentially easing affordability pressures that have built during the AI-driven price surge. Businesses and educational institutions reliant on hardware upgrades may also benefit from lower costs. However, if memory suppliers' more dire projections hold instead, the divergence highlights how difficult supply forecasting has become in a market shaped by AI demand and geopolitical trade tensions. The outcome may ultimately hinge on how quickly Chinese manufacturing capacity scales and whether Western restrictions limit its market reach.