Back-to-School Tech Costs More This Year. Here's How to Find Deals Anyway

Back-to-school tech just got pricier. A global RAM shortage is driving up the cost of laptops, tablets, and smartphones just as families gear up for the new academic year. The silver lining? Secondhand electronics are surging in popularity as a budget-friendly alternative.

CNET's latest survey reveals that back-to-school tech spending has jumped 12% year-over-year, with the average household now shelling out $600 for essential devices. The culprit is a tightening RAM supply, particularly DDR5 memory chips, which have seen a 25% price hike due to soaring demand from AI data centers and limited manufacturing capacity. This ripple effect is hitting consumers hardest during the back-to-school season, when demand for new laptops and tablets peaks.

Why now, and why does it matter? The RAM shortage is not new—it began in late 2023 when AI companies started gobbling up high-bandwidth memory for training models. But the impact is now cascading into consumer electronics, especially for devices that require 8GB or 16GB of RAM—the new baseline for schoolwork. Budget laptops that once cost $300 now start at $400, and mid-range options have pushed past $700. For families buying multiple devices, the sting is real.

Secondhand tech is stepping in to fill the gap. According to industry data, the refurbished and used electronics market grew 18% in 2025, with platforms like Swappa, Back Market, and manufacturer-certified refurb stores seeing record traffic. CNET's survey found that 67% of parents are now open to buying secondhand electronics for their students, up from 45% two years ago. The most popular secondhand purchases are last-year's model laptops (like Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Air M2), iPads, and Chromebooks. Deal-seekers can save 30-50% off retail by going refurbished, and many come with warranties.

But the RAM shortage also means secondhand supply is tightening. As more families turn to used devices, prices for older models with sufficient RAM (like 8GB+) are inching up. Analysts at IDC warn that the shortage could persist into 2026, further pressuring the secondhand market. Meanwhile, manufacturers are prioritizing high-margin AI servers over consumer chips, leaving the back-to-school segment understocked.

Looking ahead, parents and students should plan early. The best deals this year are likely to come from manufacturer refurbished programs—Apple, Dell, and HP all offer certified refurbished units with full warranties. Wait for Labor Day sales if possible, and consider Chromebooks for basic tasks; they require less RAM and remain affordable. The RAM shortage is a stark reminder that global chip supply chains touch every classroom. As AI continues to reshape computing, back-to-school tech will never be the same.