介绍： The Memory-Chip Crisis Is Here—and You’re Footing the Bill
Want a sleek new Microsoft Surface Pro laptop? The latest models start at $1,599, or $600 more than the previous generation, the PC maker said this past week. And don’t be surprised if your iPhone 18 Pro costs an eye-popping $1,299 when it comes ou...

介绍： The Memory-Chip Crisis Is Here—and You’re Footing the Bill
Want a sleek new Microsoft Surface Pro laptop? The latest models start at $1,599, or $600 more than the previous generation, the PC maker said this past week. And don’t be surprised if your iPhone 18 Pro costs an eye-popping $1,299 when it comes out in September.
The primary driver is the skyrocketing cost of memory and storage chips, especially those known as DRAM and NAND flash memory, which are essential for transferring data and storing information on devices. These chips are the same ones craved by artificial-intelligence companies, which use them to help train and run large language models, coding agents and other tools.
As AI adoption has exploded, the memory-chip industry—dominated by just three companies: South Korea’s SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics and Boise, Idaho-based Micron Technology—is suffering from a major capacity crunch. This has been great for memory-chip makers, with the market values of SK Hynix and Micron both roughly quintupling to more than $1 trillion each in the past six months. Consumers are bearing the brunt.
On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was planning to raise prices on its products because of rising memory prices. Apple chief Tim Cook said the company had been trying to shield customers from the increases but it was no longer possible.
Memory-chip makers are rushing to add new manufacturing lines, but semiconductor factories, also known as foundries or fabs, cost billions of dollars and generally take two to three years to build. Ramping up to full capacity takes additional time. Analysts expect the shortages and price increases to persist for a few more years.
“These companies are trading at high valuations, and because they have to keep their margins high, the consumer is the one who loses,” said Brad Gastwirth, Circular’s head of global research. “The laptops coming at the end of the year are not going to be cheap.”
生词好句
1.foot the bill 承担费用，结账，买单
foot v. 承担，支付 n. 脚
When the ambitious project went over budget, taxpayers had to foot the cost.当这个野心勃勃的项目超支之后，最后承担支出的就是纳税人了。
2.sleek 英 [sliːk] 美 [sliːk] adj. 光滑的，线条流畅的，时髦精致的（暗示产品有质感）
He drove up in a sleek black sports car.他开着一辆线条流畅的黑色跑车来了。
3.eye-popping 英 [ˈaɪ pɒpɪŋ] 美 [ˈaɪ pɑːpɪŋ] adj. （本文）贵得让你眼珠子都要瞪出来的，令人瞠目结舌的
pop v. 弹出
The startup was sold for an eye-popping sum.这家创业公司卖出了一个令人瞠目结舌的价格。
4.skyrocket 英 [ˈskaɪrɒkɪt] 美 [ˈskaɪrɑːkɪt] v. 飞涨，暴涨
Housing prices had been skyrocketing in major cities before Covid.大城市的房价在疫情前一直在飞涨。
5.crave 英 [kreɪv] 美 [kreɪv] v. 渴求，强烈地想要
After a long hike, I craved a cold drink.长途徒步之后，我特别渴望来一杯冰镇饮料。