(Credit: Matthew Buzzi/PCMag)
Framework is the latest company to raise prices in response to skyrocketing memory costs.
The modular PC maker will increase prices on the DDR5 memory configurable in Framework Laptop DIY Edition orders by 50%, though it claims this is still below current rates and pledges to lower costs as soon as market conditions allow.
"We are going to stay transparent. Any time we change memory or system pricing, we are going to let you know and explain the reasoning behind it," Framework said in its announcement.
The increase is still cheaper than you'd find on the open market, according to Framework, which says it will continue to use its bulk-buying advantage to keep prices competitive where it can. It also pledged not to raise prices on preorders or existing orders, only new purchases moving forward.
Framework has updated its return policy, though. "To prevent scalpers from purchasing DIY Edition laptops with memory and returning the laptop while keeping the memory, laptop returns will also require the memory from the order to be returned."
Last month, Framework delisted DDR RAM as a standalone product "to head off scalpers and preserve inventory for people buying it with our DIY Edition laptops," it tweeted at the time.
You can still buy prebuilt Framework desktop and laptop systems without the price increase, or choose not to purchase RAM along with the Framework DIY system, thereby letting you reuse memory you already have, or try to find it cheaper elsewhere.
Unfortunately, however, this isn't likely to be the last price rise from Framework. "The memory market is currently extremely volatile and we expect costs from our suppliers to continue to increase over the next weeks and months," it said. "It is highly likely that we will need to make further price updates on both DDR5 modules and on our systems that come with memory, whether DDR5, LPDDR5X, or GDDR."
Framework says it's only raising prices enough to cover increased costs from suppliers, not to increase margins. Earlier this week, it criticized Dell for using memory prices as an "excuse to gouge customers." As Tom's Hardware reports, that assessment by Framework appears to be based on a YouTuber's inaccurate and now-deleted tweet. However, industry sources tell TrendForce that Dell is expected to raise prices by at least 15-20% as soon as mid-December.(Framework also said price gouging is the "norm" for Apple.)
Earlier this month, CyberPowerPC imposed across-the-board price increases due to memory costs. HP, meanwhile, said its memory stockpile is solid for now, but by May, rising memory costs will begin eating into PC product margins, which will force HP to increase prices and offer lower-power product configuration.