The Verge frames this year's back-to-school laptop hunt around what it calls a 'RAMageddon': an ongoing crunch in RAM and storage that has disrupted computer pricing. For students shopping for an affordable laptop, the piece opens with a blunt warning that the market is unusually tough.
According to the excerpt, the result is a distorted pricing landscape. Some computers are only a little more expensive than they used to be, while others have become wildly pricier, making comparisons and budget shopping harder for families preparing for the school year.
At the same time, the guide is positioned as help for student buyers navigating that squeeze. In short, the bad news is that parts shortages have pushed laptop prices out of their normal range; the good news is that the story is meant to steer students through the current market.