@fleshntech: Remember when Raspberry Pi was the go-to choice for building a tiny computer without spending a fortune? That affordability is starting to disappear. Raspberry Pi has raised the price of its 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 by another $80, bringing its price to $385. When this configuration launched in January 2025, it cost just $120. That’s more than triple the original price in less than two years. So what’s driving the increase? Memory shortages. AI companies are building massive data centers that require enormous amounts of specialized memory. Major manufacturers are prioritizing high-bandwidth memory for AI systems, putting pressure on the broader memory supply chain. Smaller hardware companies like Raspberry Pi have less negotiating power and fewer alternative suppliers, leaving them with higher component costs. And this isn’t an isolated price increase. Raspberry Pi has already raised prices on several other models throughout 2026. The company says the latest increase was unavoidable because of limited supplies of 16GB DRAM and other component shortages. The impact goes beyond hobbyists. Raspberry Pi boards are used for robotics, home automation, retro gaming systems, media servers, programming education, and countless DIY projects. When the hardware becomes more expensive, experimenting with technology becomes less accessible. At $385, the 16GB Pi 5 is approaching the price of some complete mini PCs, which could make buyers reconsider whether a single-board computer is still the best value for their project. There is some good news: not everyone needs 16GB of RAM. Raspberry Pi recommends considering lower-memory configurations or older models when they can handle the job. The company also says it hopes to reverse the increases once memory prices fall. But the bigger concern is how long the shortage will last. If AI infrastructure continues absorbing a growing share of memory production, smaller tech companies and everyday consumers could keep feeling the effects. Source: @Gizmodo @Raspberry Pi | 11.2.2026 #technews #gizmodo #ainews #raspberrypi #pcbuilders

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Monday 02 November 2026 18:09:28 GMT